Greater Noida, Feb 4: The FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management in association with the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India and the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology successfully hosted the first edition of the FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon in Greater Noida on Sunday, 1st February 2026. Themed ‘Viksit Hospitality for Viksit Bharat,’ the event brought together students, hospitality professionals, government representatives, and fitness enthusiasts, drawing 400 participants to celebrate the hospitality sector’s contribution to India’s growth story while promoting the industry as a strong career pathway for youth.
Tourism and hospitality in India function as economic engines that generate employment, bring in international currency, and boost the nation’s economic output. The sector’s significant post-pandemic growth has outpaced the availability of job-ready talent, creating a skills gap across operations and service excellence, plus a workforce gap as fewer students are opting for the profession. The short-term 3–6 month training programmes help with immediate onboarding, but sustained growth requires continuous upskilling as roles evolve and guest expectations rise.
With enrolments in IHMs under NCHMCT declining year on year, the talent pipeline is tightening even as the industry scales. On one side, the hospitality infrastructure is expanding, and so is the demand for a skilled workforce, however on the other side, the pipeline of trained entrants is thinning, ultimately raising the risk of sustainable growth of the industry.
The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon was designed to spotlight hospitality as a fast-growing career pathway. Since the sector is scaling fast and needs talent at every level, from operations to leadership, this event successfully spread awareness of the need to recognise hospitality as a meaningful, future-ready profession and step into the opportunities that will shape the Viksit Bharat journey.
The event opened with a ceremonial flag-off led by Dr Satvir Singh, Director NCHMCT, and Dr Sagnik Chowdhury, Director (Admn. & Finance) and Secretary, NCHMCT, and hospitality professionals.
The marathon route provided attendees with a culinary showcase and an interactive hospitality pavilion, together with live music, fitness workshops and Zumba and Bhangra performances. The organisation demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through the eco-friendly race kits, reusable hydration station, and its efforts to minimize food waste. The presence of celebrity chefs, sports personalities, and influencers further amplified engagement and visibility for the sector.
The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon featured four categories – a 10 km Chip Timing Run, 5 km and 3 km Chip Timing Run/Walk, and a 3 km Student Fun Run/Walk – welcoming participants of all ages. Held at Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, the event celebrated the contributions of the hospitality sector while promoting talent development and industry-academia collaboration. Curated by Piku Sports and co-organised with Geci, the marathon highlighted India’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.
Commenting on the Mini Marathon, Mr Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI, said,
“The hospitality sector has the power to transform India’s economic future. At the Mini Marathon, we witnessed young people inspired by the sector, seeing hospitality as a meaningful and rewarding career and understanding the impact they can make as future leaders. Events like this truly highlight the industry’s role in shaping India’s growth and global perception.”
The FHRAI–IHM Mini Marathon is set to become an annual flagship event, celebrating fitness, teamwork, and community spirit, while showcasing how the hospitality sector drives India’s growth. The marathon also aims to inspire students and professionals, highlighting the critical role of skilled talent in shaping a dynamic, future-ready hospitality industry.
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