Kolkata Marathon 2026: 15,000 runners, full 42.2-km race and a special heroes category

The 11th edition introduces, for the first time, a full 42.2 km marathon, an upgrade from the previous half-marathon, and has been awarded the prestigious World Athletics Bronze Label.

The run this year includes the full 42.2 km course, 21.1 kms,  10 kms,a beginner friendly 5 km and cosplay run.

One of the newest and most inclusive steps was presented for this run as it introduced a dedicated Special Heroes Category.

The run is represented by a star-studded line up of ambassadors and icons including Gurvinder Singh, Milind Soman, Sumit Antil, Saiyami Kher, Kartik Karkera and Ankita Kanwar.

“It is not our achievement; it is the achievement of the city, ” said Chairman of Jai Balaji Group, Aditya Jajodia, speaking on the increase in engagement and motivation the run has received in the past 11 years.

The company has positively backed the fitness culture of the country, by not only organising corporate wellness runs for its employees, but also supports para-athletes like Sumit Antil in international Paralympic Events.

The safety and betterment of the run are of utmost importance to the organisers.

Following that promise, the organisers have organised a dedicated Kolkata Marathon Medical Army (KMMA), a set of medical attendees from the Charnock Hospital trained in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

A dedicated marathon advisory board has also been organised, including experienced athletes and runners to advise on the betterment of the experience at the run.

Paralympic, World and Asian Champion in Men’s Javelin Throw, Sumit Antil has been chosen as the face of the Special Heroes Category.

“It is a lot different from the time I started, now there are sponsors, opportunities and accessibility, so an individual can really shine in their talent” said Antil speaking on the increasing accessibility for para- athletes in the country in the last few years.

Actor and Marathon runner Saiyami Kher spoke on running and balancing her life as a Bollywood actress and a triathlete. “Running has been my safe space,” said Kher.

Former Athlete and politician Jyotirmoi Sikdar, reflecting on the changes in India’s Sporting Culture, told IBNS, “The Indian Government has taken much interest in the improvement of sporting culture, as a result of which we see India winning gold medals at the Olympics.

An investment of 36,441 crore has been allotted to Khelo India, so that sports facilities can be improved across rural India to bring out the best talent of the country.

Former Olympian Soma Biswas was also in attendance at the event.

Speaking on the changing atmosphere of sport in the country, Biswas told IBNS “Infrastructure used to be a big problem back in my days with only Salt Lake Stadium being equipped for proper practice and there has been a huge increase in exposure with 25-30 national sporting events taking place. During my time, international and national exposure was much more limited than today.”

(Reporting by Swastik Sarkar)