SKF India Named Title Sponsor of Goa River Marathon 2025

SKF India, a leading manufacturer of industrial bearings, solutions, and services, is the Title Sponsor of the Goa River Marathon, one of India’s most anticipated long-distance running events. For over half a decade, SKF India has partnered with the marathon to champion community spirit, endurance, and progress through motion.

Organized by the Vasco Sports Club, the marathon will be held on Sunday, December 14, starting and finishing at the Chicalim Panchayat Ground in Goa. With a total prize purse of ₹8 lakh, the event will feature five race categories ranging from Full Marathon (42 km), 20 Miler (32 km), Half Marathon (21 km), 10 km, and 5 km.

Reflecting SKF’s core mission of ‘Less Friction, More Progress’, this year’s theme ‘Pace for Peace’ brings together runners from across India and overseas to celebrate endurance, harmony, and collective progress. Over the years, the SKF Goa River Marathon has grown into one of India’s most celebrated long-distance running events, bringing together professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts from across India and overseas.

Speaking about SKF’s continued partnership, Mukund Vasudevan, Managing Director of SKF India (Industrial), said, “At SKF, we are proud to be the Title Sponsor of the Goa River Marathon, a celebration of endurance, community, and movement. GRM reflects our mission to fight friction and push boundaries, just like sport does.”

The marathon perfectly mirrors SKF India’s philosophy of enabling smoother journeys, driving performance, and creating a positive impact through continuous progress.

At a press conference announcing the event, Nitin Bandekar, President, Vasco Sports Club, said, “The response this year was very heartening, and we are expecting close to a record 7,500 runners from across India and overseas for the event. Our event is responsible for generating significant revenues for the tourism sector in Goa.”

He added that this year’s theme, ‘Pace for Peace’, aims to spread a message of harmony and unity in today’s turbulent times.

According to Rakesh Unny, Secretary, Vasco Sports Club, the World Marathon Majors will rank the timings of SKF-GRM participants within their global system, enabling them to qualify for prestigious international marathons such as London, Boston, New York, and Chicago.

To enhance the participant experience, the organisers have also planned two special events, a ‘Carbohydrate Loading’ dinner on the eve of the marathon and a ‘Post-Race Sports Festival Rave’ at 4 PM on race day.

Registrations are now open at www.skfgoarivermarathon.com.