Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital (GKNM), Coimbatore, is set to organise the fourth edition of its ‘Run for Little Hearts’ awareness marathon on September 27 to support children with congenital heart defects and childhood cancers.

The marathon will begin at 5.30 a.m. at Mani Higher Secondary School, Papanayickenpalayam, Coimbatore. The event is being organised in connection with September being observed as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and World Heart Day being marked on September 29.

The event will feature 1 km and 3 km runs for participants of all age groups, enabling children, families and senior citizens to participate together.A 5 km category will be open to boys and girls aged 12–18 and men and women above 18, while the 10 km run will have categories for participants aged 18–39 and those above 40.

Cash prizes totalling ₹80,000 have been announced for winners in the 5 km and 10 km categories. Organisers expect around 4,000 runners to participate this year. The marathon has been recognised and approved by the Coimbatore District Athletic Association.

The event is supported by LMW, Lakshmi Card Clothing, Blue Dhalia, Premier Fine Linens, Lakshmi Mills Co. Ltd., Lakshmi Energy & Environmental Designs Pvt. Ltd. (LEED) and Precot, with Sodexo as the hospitality partner.The marathon T-shirt and medal unveiling ceremony was held at the GKNM Hospital premises on September 15.

Speaking at the event, Dr.Ragupathy Veluswamy, Chief Executive Officer, GKNM, said that around 3,000 runners participated in the 2025 edition, through which funds were raised to benefit 42 children with heart defects and childhood cancer. He added that, as in the previous editions, children who were treated at GKNM Hospital and have recovered will also participate in this year’s run.

GKNM Hospital, a unit of KNC Trust, is a pioneer in paediatric cardiac care and paediatric oncology in Coimbatore. Its Paediatric Cardiac and Oncology unit is equipped with advanced medical technologies and facilities for treating children.