2nd annual Janashakthi Life – ICA International Half-Marathon draws over 2500 participants from 39 countries

Tuesday, 16 December 2025 01:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ICA Sri Lanka President Captain Anirban Banerjee

A powerful blend of competition and community, with Male Category Winner of Rs. 1 m Kipsang Icibet Mooses from Kenya donating winnings to the ICA Orphanage water purification project

The Indian Cultural Association (ICA) successfully concluded the second annual Janashakthi Life – ICA International Half-Marathon on Sunday, 14 December in Colombo.

Attracting over 2500 runners from 36 countries, the event showcased world-class athleticism, community spirit, and a strong commitment to social impact.

The 2025 edition was powered by Janashakthi Life and endorsed by the Indian High Commission and the Ministry of Sports, Sri Lanka, along with other statutory bodies. It featured three race categories: the 21.1 km Half-Marathon, 10 km Challengers Run, and 5 km Family Run. The total prize purse of Rs. 5,700,000 was distributed equally across male and female divisions, reinforcing ICA’s commitment to gender equality in sport.

Winners List 2025:

21.1 km Half-Marathon:

Men’s Solo Category:

1st Place: Kipsang Icibet Mooses, Kenya – Rs. 1,000,000
2nd Place: Eliias Nyaga Muthoni, Kenya – Rs. 500,000
3rd Place: Kiptoo Edwin Yebei, Kenya – Rs. 200,000

Women’s Solo Category:

1st Place: Weerasuriya Arachchiilage Methmi Wijesooriya, Sri Lanka – Rs. 1,000,000
2nd Place: Bilingaswattage Nayana Sewwandi, Sri Lanka – Rs. 500,000
3rd Place: H.M Shamini Herath, Sri Lanka – Rs. 200,000

Runners navigated a scenic coastal and city route, passing iconic Colombo landmarks including Galle Face Green, Marine Drive, and Colombo Fort, before finishing along the oceanfront. The race kicked off at 6:00 a.m. with enthusiastic spectators cheering participants throughout the course.

Beyond the competition, participants supported ICA’s CSR initiatives, including organ-donation awareness and support for orphanages, combining athletic achievement with social responsibility. “The Janashakthi Life – ICA International Half-Marathon is more than a race; it is a celebration of fitness, culture, and community impact,” said ICA Sri Lanka President Captain Anirban Banerjee. “This year, the event grew in scale and significance, strengthening international camaraderie and delivering tangible benefits to communities across Sri Lanka. We are proud to have had a record-breaking number of participants this year, evidence that the event is going from strength to strength. We are thankful to our main sponsor, Janashakthi Life and all our other sponsors for recognising the scope of this endeavour, and for joining hands with us to make it a reality.”

Janashakthi Insurance PLC Director/CEO Ravi Liyanage said: “We are proud to support the Janashakthi Life – ICA International Half-Marathon, an event that inspires healthy living and community engagement. This partnership reflects our commitment to empowering communities and promoting positive social change. While congratulating the winners and runners up, we want to commend all those who participated for being part of an event that not only showcases tremendous grit and athleticism, but also makes a positive long-term impact on people across Sri Lanka”

The Janashakthi Life – ICA International Half-Marathon 2025 is made possible through the generous support of leading partners, including Janashakthi Life (Title Sponsor), CARNAGE, CWIT – Adani Ports, Ultratech Cements, Lanka Hospitals (Official Medical Partner), Asia Paints Causeway, Bolt Distribution, Lanka IOC, Dialog, One Galle Face, Caravan Fresh, Emerging Media (Event Facilitator), Nestle, Serendib Flour Mills, Air India, Flamingo Duty Free, Pepsi, Physio Tree, Hangla, amongst many others.

- Pix by Lasantha Kumara