58-year-old engineer runs Vizag Half Marathon for ‘Save Soil’ cause

Subramanya Sharma Challa, a 58-year-old chartered civil engineer from Visakhapatnam, completed the 21.1-km Vizag Half Marathon 2026 on Sunday, participating to raise awareness about the importance of soil health.

Background

Mr. Sharma began running about four-and-a-half years ago as part of Sadhguru’s Save Soil movement. Since then, he says he has covered 7,642 km while carrying the Save Soil flag across several cities, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa and Bhubaneswar.

Why it matters

Describing why he ties his running to the cause, Mr. Sharma noted that public attention often overlooks the ground beneath our feet. “There is a lot of awareness today about air pollution and water pollution, but we don’t talk enough about the soil beneath our feet,” he said.

The campaign

During his runs in coastal Visakhapatnam and other urban centers, Mr. Sharma has sought to draw attention to the issue by prominently associating with the Save Soil message. The movement says it aims to highlight the risks of soil degradation and to encourage policies and agricultural practices that improve soil health.

What’s next

Mr. Sharma said he intends to continue participating in running events to advocate for protecting and regenerating soil. He added that sustained public engagement is essential to fostering wider understanding and support for healthier soil ecosystems.

Published: October 4, 2026