Houston, Texas, USA: Sewa Members Create Impact and Inspire at Houston Marathon
Community participants also collected donations and offered support to runners during the marathon.
Sewa International honored two Indian American community members for creating meaningful impact and inspiration at the Chevron & Aramco Houston Marathon held on Jan. 11, recognizing their leadership, service, and dedication to the cause.
Houston-based residents Randeep Suneja and Swatantra Jain were acknowledged for their individual contributions and fundraising achievements during the city’s largest sporting event.
Suneja, a medical professional, completed his 16th half marathon with a finishing time of 2:56:57, improving his result by 23 minutes compared with the previous year. According to Sewa, he received support from family members stationed along the route to help with hydration.
Through Sewa’s “Run for a Reason” charity campaign, Suneja raised USD 6,700 for the organization, which Sewa described as the highest amount raised under the initiative. Suneja expressed appreciation for the motivation he received from family, coworkers, patients, and his coach.
Jain reached a personal achievement by taking part in his first marathon-related event at the age of 78. Sewa stated that Jain originally intended to run a shorter distance but chose during the race to complete the half marathon after encouragement from his family.
Jain later shared that he plans to participate in future races. He also raised funds for Sewa through the “Run for a Reason” program.
More than 120 Sewa-affiliated runners represented the organization at the marathon, participating in various race categories and successfully finishing their events.
Additionally, Sewa volunteers managed the Mile 11.5 half marathon hydration station, assisting over 15,000 runners with water and sports beverages and carrying out cleanup efforts later in the day.
The organization also ran a breakfast stall near the George R. Brown Convention Center, offering tea and meals to runners and volunteers. Sewa noted that volunteers reported early in the morning to help with race-day operations.
The marathon attracted approximately 30,000 runners, 7,000 volunteers, and an estimated 250,000 spectators, with participants coming from all 50 U.S. states and 118 countries. Event data cited by Sewa showed that women made up 51 percent of half marathon participants.
Sewa stated that this was its fourth consecutive year taking part in the Houston Marathon and its second year recognized as an “Elite Charity” within the “Run for a Reason” program.
The organization expressed gratitude to volunteers, donors, partners, and marathon organizers for their support and encouraged community members to get involved in upcoming events.
