Photograph (L-R): Shakuntala Devi, Neha

New Delhi: The Times Internet Half Marathon saw a strong participation from female athletes, highlighting speed, determination and emerging talent in the Under-29 10km category.Leading the category was 22-year-old Shakuntala Devi, who took first place with a chip time of 42:31. Having been involved with racing for the past five years, she credits her brother for introducing her to the sport and shaping her initial journey. Shakuntala has represented at the national level, and after achieving a placing in her first marathon, she was encouraged to continue running long distances. Since then, he has shown steady progress, constantly improving his performances.The second place went to 18-year-old Neha, who clocked a chip time of 44:22. Having started running two years ago, Neha became involved in sports from an early age, initially playing cricket and handball before moving on to marathons. Speaking about her outlook, she shared a dynamic perspective, saying that she does not set fixed goals and prefers to focus on the present, taking opportunities as they come. He also described the Times Internet Half Marathon as a memorable experience.Third place went to 26-year-old Sweta Sah, who clocked a chip time of 44:22, giving her a competitive edge in the category. Running for the past three years, she balances her profession as a physiotherapist with consistent training. For Sah, running is an exercise in discipline and progress, and she is now preparing to run longer distances, focusing on marathon running.The Under-29 Women’s category reflected a mix of budding talent and rising ambition, with runners at different stages of their journey coming together on a common platform.As the race began, it became clear that beyond time and situation, the event celebrated intention and evolution, where each runner offered a story, and each finish line marked the beginning of something else.