Greater Noida, January 12, 2026
The FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FHRAI–IHM), in collaboration with the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) and the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), will organise the first edition of the FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon in Greater Noida on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The event, themed ‘Viksit Hospitality for Viksit Bharat’, aims to highlight the critical role of the hospitality sector in nation-building while encouraging young aspirants to view the industry as a dynamic and future-ready career option.
The Mini Marathon is being positioned as a platform that brings together hospitality students, industry professionals, government representatives, runners, and fitness enthusiasts under one banner. The initiative seeks to celebrate the contribution of the hospitality and tourism sector to India’s economic growth, employment generation, and global image, while simultaneously addressing the growing need for skilled manpower in the industry.
India’s tourism and hospitality sector remains one of the country’s most significant contributors to economic development. It plays a vital role in strengthening the gross domestic product, generating foreign exchange earnings, and creating large-scale employment opportunities across urban and rural regions. Over the past two to three years, the industry has witnessed rapid expansion into Tier III and Tier IV cities. However, despite this growth, the sector continues to face an acute shortage of trained and skilled professionals. This gap between opportunity and talent availability has underlined the need for stronger awareness, closer industry–academia collaboration, and initiatives that inspire young people to pursue hospitality as a profession. The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon has been conceptualised with this objective, aligning the sector’s growth story with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.
The event will begin at 6:00 am at the FHRAI–IHM campus, located at Plot No. 45, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida. It will feature four participation categories designed to include runners and walkers of different age groups and fitness levels. These include a 10-kilometre chip-timing run, 5-kilometre and 3-kilometre chip-timing run or walk, and a 3-kilometre student fun run or walk. With wide participation expected from students, hospitality professionals, families, and running groups, the organisers aim to create a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
Apart from the marathon, the event will host an energetic opening ceremony with the participation of senior government officials and leading figures from the hospitality industry. A key attraction will be a curated culinary showcase, where chefs will present signature dishes along the marathon route. An interactive hospitality pavilion will also be set up to highlight innovation, tourism potential, food concepts, and service excellence within the sector. The presence of celebrity chefs, sports personalities, and social media influencers is expected to further enhance engagement and visibility.
Participants and spectators will also be able to enjoy live music performances, fitness workshops, Zumba sessions, and Bhangra performances throughout the morning. Sustainability has been identified as a core focus of the event, with organisers adopting environmentally responsible practices such as eco-friendly race kits, reusable hydration stations, and measures to minimise food waste.
The Mini Marathon is being curated by Piku Sports and co-organised with Geci, ensuring professional event management and a high-quality participant experience.
Speaking on the initiative, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI, said that the hospitality sector has the potential to significantly shape India’s economic future. He said that as the country progresses towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, hospitality will play a defining role not only in job creation but also in shaping India’s global image. He added that the Mini Marathon is intended to inspire young people to see hospitality as a meaningful and rewarding career and to understand the impact they can create as future leaders of the sector.
Emphasising the value of experiential learning, Sagnik Chowdhury, Director (Administration and Finance) and Secretary, NCHMCT, said that the Mini Marathon offers students an opportunity to engage with the hospitality sector beyond classroom learning. He noted that by bringing together institutions, industry professionals, and aspiring students on a common platform, the event showcases hospitality as a dynamic and inclusive career aligned with India’s evolving development journey.
The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon is envisioned as an annual flagship event that promotes health, teamwork, and community spirit while underlining the strategic importance of hospitality in India’s development narrative. As the sector prepares for its next phase of expansion, the initiative aims to encourage greater participation from students and professionals and reinforce the importance of skilled talent in building a strong, resilient, and future-ready hospitality ecosystem.
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India is the apex body of the hospitality industry, representing more than one lakh hotels and five lakh restaurants across the country. Through its Centre of Excellence for Research in Tourism and Hospitality, it actively works on research, policy advocacy, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen the tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
The FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management, based in Greater Noida, serves as the education and skill development arm of the federation. The institute focuses on industry-oriented training, experiential learning, and leadership development to prepare professionals capable of meeting the sector’s growing demands and bridging the existing skill gap.
