New Delhi Marathon

Running a marathon under the watchful eyes of Mughal emperors and British viceroys makes for quite an entourage 🐘. Every February, the "New Delhi Marathon" wakes up the Indian capital for a big asphalt gathering at the start of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Sacred national marathon of the country by the Indian federation, certified by AIMS and World Athletics, it attracts nearly 30,000 runners from about thirty countries 🌍. A capital city race in every sense, where sport sits alongside two thousand years of history 🏰.

Four distances ring out the morning, from the early sprint to the classic 🏃. The full marathon, 42,195 km crowned as the national championship, crowns the Indian elite every year 🥇. In 2026, Kartik Karkera won it in 2h13"10, just minutes off a national record dating back nearly half a century. Alongside it, the half marathon of 21 km, a 10 km and a 5 km Fun Run open the celebration to families and beginners 👟. Flat course, double-loop route 🗺, cool weather: the perfect cocktail for a race that stays in memory for years.

The course itself unfolds a royal procession. You race along the broad avenues of New Delhi laid out by the British, pass under the India Gate and run beside the Lodhi Gardens as the Humayun's Tomb, a Moghul jewel listed as UNESCO 🕌. The crisp February air, sometimes veiled in a morning mist, offers ideal conditions for clocking kilometers 🌫. Between green lawns, ancient domes and urban tarmac, the course blends high-octane sport with heritage at every turn 🏙.

Born in 2016, the event is already into its eleventh edition, having never missed a year, pandemic included 📅. In a few seasons, it has established itself as the great official marathon of India, serving as the national team selection and a qualifier for major continental events such as the Asian Games. Its field brings together the country's best long-distance runners, backed by pacing teams spread across the course to push amateurs toward their records 🏅. It's no surprise it attracts runners from across the Asian continent and far beyond.

Here, running takes on a national celebration vibe 🎉. Under the eyes of 30,000 participants and a cheering crowd, the atmosphere straddles sports fervor and patriotic pride, powered by a running community booming in India. The organization also doubles down on sustainability, with waste reduction and encouraged public transport, while a hot breakfast awaits finishers at the finish line 🫖. Hard to beat a marathon kicked off at dawn in the magnificent bustle of the Indian capital 🇮🇳.

With the bib tucked away, the Old Delhi opens its arms 🕌. The majestic Red Fort, the gigantic Jama Masjid and the bustling bazaar of Chandni Chowk plunge the visitor into a whirlwind of spices, sweets and honks 🌶. To refresh, a chai with steam and a plate of chaat street snacks reset even the most tired legs 😋.