Bhopal/Narmada: For the first time, a national-level cycling competition was held near the iconic Statue of Unity in Ektanagar, Narmada district. The two-day event, titled “The Unity Trail,” witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 160 top cyclists from 21 states participating—121 men and 39 women, including 18 cyclists from Gujarat.
The cyclothon featured 100 km racing for men and 60 km for women, attracting professional athletes, including participants from Indian Railways and the Indian Air Force.
Grand Opening with 650+ Cyclists
The event commenced on Sunday with a 5 km cyclothon open to the public. The flag-off was conducted by Dr. Jayram Gamit, State Minister, Gujarat Department of Tourism, Sports, Youth Service and Cultural Activities.
More than 650 cyclists from Gujarat and various states joined the opening ride, cycling alongside the Minister, MLAs, and officials—sending out a strong message encouraging youth participation in sports and fitness.
Circular 20 km Route Set for Competition Day
On Monday, the second day of the event, the competition took place on the 20 km circular route planned by the Statue of Unity Tourism Area Development Authority.
- Women cyclists: 3 rounds
- Men cyclists: 5 rounds
Cyclists navigated through the picturesque surroundings of the Narmada district, making the event both visually stunning and physically challenging.
Prize Money Introduced for the First Time
In a major boost for athletes, the Gujarat Government awarded cash prizes for the first time in such an event.
- 1st Prize: ₹3,00,000
- 2nd Prize: ₹2,00,000
- 3rd Prize: ₹1,00,000
Additionally, 13 other cyclists in each category received cash incentives, reflecting the government’s commitment to promoting cycling culture and competitive sports.
Winners of The Unity Trail 2025
Men’s 100 km Winners
- Manjit Singh – Air Force
- Surya Dasu – Maharashtra
- Harshvir Singh Kaur – Punjab
Women’s 60 km Winners
- Swati Singh – Odisha
- Gupta Mushkan – Gujarat
- Soumya Antpur – Railways
Cyclothon Promotes Fitness, Environment & National Unity
Cyclists expressed joy over participating in an event surrounded by the world-famous Statue of Unity and Narmada’s natural beauty. Many highlighted their shared resolve to promote:
- Fitness and healthy living
- Cleanliness and environmental protection
- National unity through sports
Organizers stated that “The Unity Trail” is poised to become a globally renowned cycling destination, attracting international-level competitions in the future.
Dignitaries Present
The event saw participation from notable leaders and officials, including:
- Dr. Darshanaben Deshmukh, MLA, Nandod
- Maninder Pal, Secretary, Cycling Federation of India
- Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Gujarat Tourism
- Prabhav Joshi, MD, Gujarat Tourism
- Mukesh Puri, Chairman, Statue of Unity
- Amit Arora, CEO, Statue of Unity
- I.R. Wala, Secretary, TCGL
- Kuldipsinh Zala, Joint MD, TCGL
- Gopal Bamaniya, Additional Collector, Statue of Unity
Large numbers of citizens, cycling enthusiasts, and supporters attended to motivate the athletes.
