With the hospitality sector facing a widening talent gap even as capacity and demand continue to grow, industry bodies are increasingly turning to public, participatory platforms to engage the next generation. The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon is one such initiative — using a high-visibility, community-led event to link fitness, education, and career awareness, while positioning hospitality as a critical contributor to the Viksit Bharat vision.
The FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FHRAI–IHM), in association with the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) and the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), will host the 1ˢᵗ FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon in Greater Noida on Sunday, 1 February 2026.
The event, themed Viksit Hospitality for Viksit Bharat, aims to underline the hospitality sector’s contribution to nation-building while positioning it as a credible, future-ready career pathway for India’s youth.
Addressing growth alongside the skill gap
India’s tourism and hospitality industry remains one of the country’s largest contributors to GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and employment. However, even as the sector has expanded rapidly into Tier III and Tier IV cities over the past two to three years, it continues to face an acute shortage of trained manpower.
The Mini Marathon has been conceptualised to respond to this contrast — strong growth potential alongside a widening skill gap — by strengthening awareness, fostering industry–academia collaboration, and encouraging students to engage with hospitality beyond the classroom.
What participants can expect
The event will begin at 6 am at the FHRAI–IHM campus in Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, and is expected to draw students, hospitality professionals, runners, families, and the wider public.
The programme will include an opening ceremony with senior government officials and hospitality leaders, followed by a culinary showcase featuring chefs presenting signature dishes along the marathon route. An interactive hospitality pavilion will highlight emerging opportunities in tourism, food innovation, and service excellence.
Live music sessions, fitness workshops, Zumba, and Bhangra performances will run through the morning, with participation from celebrity chefs, sports personalities, and influencers. Sustainability has been built into the event design through environmentally conscious race kits, reusable hydration stations, and measures to minimise food waste.
Race categories and organisation
The Mini Marathon will feature four participation categories:
- 10 km chip-timing run
- 5 km and 3 km chip-timing run or walk
- 3 km student fun run or walk
The event is being curated by Piku Sports and co-organised with Geci.
Industry leadership perspective
Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “The hospitality sector has the power to transform India’s economic future. As the country moves toward the goal of Viksit Bharat, the industry will play a defining role not only in job creation but in shaping the global perception of India. Through this Mini Marathon, we want young people to feel inspired, to see hospitality as a meaningful and rewarding career, and to understand the impact they can make as future leaders of this sector.”
Highlighting the importance of experiential learning, Sagnik Chowdhury, Director (Admn. & Finance) and Secretary, National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, said, “The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon provides students with a valuable opportunity to engage with the hospitality sector beyond academic settings. By bringing together institutions, industry professionals, and young aspirants on a common platform, the event helps showcase hospitality as a dynamic, inclusive career choice that is closely aligned with India’s evolving growth and development journey.”
Envisioned as an annual platform
The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon is envisioned as an annual flagship initiative that brings together health, community engagement, and industry advocacy. As hospitality prepares for its next phase of expansion, the event seeks to reinforce the importance of skilled talent in building a resilient and future-ready ecosystem.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
