The Soles for Souls Marathon returned to Chennai yesterday on 28th September 2025 for its second edition with an even bigger turnout than before. Organized by the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), the event focused on building awareness about a drug-free society while showcasing the strengths of the footwear and leather industry.
This year’s marathon brought together more than 10,000 students along with professionals and running enthusiasts.
Participants took part in timed runs across 3 km, 5 km and 10 km categories. Each runner received a T-shirt, a finisher medal and breakfast as part of their registration.
The initiative also highlighted Chennai’s key role in the leather and footwear sector and was supported by various departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The marathon is part of a larger effort by the industry to promote unity and positive social change. Organizers confirmed plans to expand the event to other cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Agra and Kanpur in the coming years.
A standout feature of the 2025 edition was the Music Competition, which saw participation from 8 colleges. Performances were based on the theme “Drug-Free Society” and were aimed at engaging Gen Z and millennials in the movement.
Kickers footwear brand awarded special prizes to the top three teams for their performances. The event successfully blended fitness, music and social awareness to strengthen the brand image of the leather and footwear industry while promoting a healthy lifestyle among youth.
