Over 1,200 cyclists ride along East Coast Road for Chennai Cyclothon 2026

Over 1,200 cyclists gathered on the East Coast Road (ECR) on Sunday morning to participate in the Chennai Cyclothon 2026. The major cycling event, organized by Chennai Cyclists in association with Chennai Times, was held to celebrate and promote fitness, sustainable mobility, and community engagement in the city.

Participants in the event chose from five different ride categories tailored to various age groups and fitness levels. These categories included a flagship 100km ride, a 50km ride, a 25km ride, a 10km ride, and a short 2–5km Kids Ride.

The routes for the 25km, 50km, and 100km categories were laid out along the scenic ECR. The longest route of the day, the flagship 100km ride, stretched all the way to the Vayalur Check Dam, offering the long-distance cyclists a scenic route for their journey.

The event was officially flagged off by a group of prominent guests, including Aravindan, IPS, who serves as the Additional Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Chennai Zonal Unit. He was joined by Sudhakar from the Tamilnadu Cycling Association and actor Mahat Raghavendra. The guests shared their appreciation for the initiative, noting that it successfully combined physical fitness with a strong social message.

In addition to officiating the start of the event, Aravindan also participated as a rider. He completed the 50km category ride alongside several members of his NCB zonal unit team.

Organizers highlighted the significant turnout for the event, particularly pointing to the high level of interest in the children's category. An organizer shared that the overwhelming participation in the 2–5km Kids Ride demonstrated a growing acceptance of cycling among the younger generation. They noted that young people are increasingly viewing cycling as both a healthy lifestyle choice and an environmentally responsible mode of transport.