Dhiraagu has honoured the champions of the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2025 at a ceremony held on 13 November, closing the curtain on what is now the country’s largest running event. The sixteenth edition, staged on 24 October at Central Park in Hulhumale, drew more than 4,500 participants from 44 nationalities, alongside students from 28 schools and 128 corporate teams.
This year’s prize pool reached MVR 256,000. Winners of the signature 21.1K category received MVR 25,000, with MVR 15,000 and MVR 10,000 awarded to the runners up and second runners up. The champions of the 10K, 5K Open and 5K Corporate team divisions each secured MVR 10,000, while the next two podium positions earned MVR 8,000 and MVR 6,000. School category winners received special gift vouchers valued at MVR 5,000, MVR 3,000 and MVR 1,000.
Dhiraagu also recognised standout performers in the 21.1K and 10K age group brackets. Runners placing in the top three within the 45 to 50, 51 to 55, 56 to 60 and 61 to 65 categories were acknowledged during the ceremony, reflecting the event’s commitment to inclusivity across generations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dhiraagu CEO and Managing Director Ismail Rasheed said the race has evolved into a national platform that goes beyond sport. He noted that it unites communities around a shared purpose to protect children. He highlighted the collective energy, environmental focus and community spirit that shaped this year’s run.
Dhiraagu further announced the disbursement of MVR 678,800 to thirteen DMRR endorsed NGOs. This amount includes MVR 200,000 donated by the company to the top five NGOs nominated by runners. Proceeds from runner registrations and nice bib number sales were distributed among all partner NGOs to support child protection programmes and upcoming project activities.
The 2025 race also marked a major sustainability milestone. Dhiraagu powered the entire event with renewable energy and achieved a full electricity offset, setting a new benchmark for green sporting events in the Maldives.
Looking ahead, the company confirmed that the next Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race will take place on 30 October 2026. The event remains the only internationally recognised race in the country, listed in the AIMS World Running calendar with a World Athletics certified route.
If you want an alternative headline package or a shorter breaking style version, Shumba, I can prepare that too.
