On the morning of Sunday 5th January 2014 Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Sabarmati Marathon 2014. Shri Modi profusely congratulated all those who have joined the marathon. He said that be it Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot, Gujarat has now joined the places across the world that are regularly hosting marathons. He described the large participation in the marathon as a big victory in itself. “Some people say that competition is all about winning but I would say to take part and join a programme like this is a victory in itself,” Shri Modi stated. He added that such occasions integrate an entire city. Shri Modi opined, “Jab Kadam Milte hain to man milte hain aur jab man milte hain maksad aasani se prapt hota hai.” Shri Modi also congratulated the AMC for marathon.
At the venue, Shri Modi flagged off the full marathon, half marathon, dream run and marathon for the specially abled. Over 19,000 runners have joined the marathon. Ahmedabad Mayor Smt. Meenakshiben Patel, former Mayor Shri Asit Vora, Municipal Commissioner Ahmedabad Shri Guruprasad Mohapatra were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.