Mumbai | January 18, 2026 : The 2026 edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon concluded with high energy and record-breaking participation, reinforcing its status as Asia’s premier running event and a major fixture on the global World Athletics Gold Label calendar. This year’s race saw a staggering registration of more than 69,100 runners across physical and virtual formats, making it the largest edition in the event’s 21 year history. Over 65,400 runners reclaimed the streets of Mumbai, while more than 3,700 participants joined virtually from across the globe. Notably, the full marathon alone saw a record 14,155 registrations, reflecting the growing culture of endurance running in India.
In the Marathon International Elite Men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadu Abate Deme claimed first place with a commanding time of 2:09:55. Kenya’s Leonard Langat followed closely in 2:10:10, while Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete Weldemaryam secured third at 2:10:22. Ethiopia’s Gada Gemsisa Gudeta and the 2023 World Champion Victor Kiplangat of Uganda completed the leading pack, underlining the continued dominance of East African athletes over the 42.195-kilometre distance despite the challenging Mumbai humidity.
Indian runners produced stellar performances in the Marathon Indian Elite Men’s category. Kartik Karkera, a Nashik-based orthopedic surgeon, emerged as the fastest Indian, clocking a personal best of 2:19:55. He was followed by Anish Thapa at 2:20:08, while Pradeep Chaudhary secured third place with a time of 2:20:49. The competitive depth in the domestic circuit was evident as the top three finishers were separated by less than a minute.
The Marathon International Elite Women’s race was a masterclass in Ethiopian distance running. Yeshi Kalayu Chekole took top honours with a winning time of 2:25:13, finishing comfortably ahead of Kidsan Alema Gebremedhin at 2:27:35 and Gojjam Tsegaye Enyew at 2:28:27. Ethiopian runners swept the top positions, reaffirming their global stronghold in women’s long-distance racing.
In the Marathon Indian Elite Women’s category, the race saw a dramatic debut performance. Sanjivani Jadhav claimed first place with a timing of 2:48:58, denying Nirmaben Thakor a hat-trick of titles. Thakor secured second place in 2:49:07, followed closely by Sonam in 2:49:21. This tight podium finish, with all three women crossing the line within a 23-second window, marked a significant leap in the competitiveness of Indian women’s elite marathon running.
Beyond the elite competition, the event drew significant public interest with the participation of several prominent personalities. Actor Aamir Khan made his marathon debut in the Dream Run, joined by filmmaker Kiran Rao and their family. International Event Ambassador and Canadian sprint legend Andre De Grasse was also present to cheer on the participants. Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah successfully completed the Half Marathon in under two hours, as he works towards the Procam Slam—a feat requiring completion of four major Indian distance races within a single cycle.
A hallmark of this year’s edition was the official introduction of Mumbai’s Coastal Road into the marathon route. This new stretch, featuring flatter terrain and scenic sea views, complemented the traditional South Mumbai course and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Coupled with relatively pleasant early-morning temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius, the revised course provided smoother racing conditions and paved the way for the high-quality timings recorded this year.
As a World Athletics Gold Label Race, the Tata Mumbai Marathon continues to attract a global field, competing for a total prize purse of USD 389,524. Alongside the flagship races, the Senior Citizens’ Run, Champions with Disability, and the vibrant Dream Run received an overwhelming response, showcasing the unique blend of elite athleticism and the resilient spirit of Har Dil Mumbai.
