Adani Ahmedabad Marathon 2026 Registration Now Open
Adani Ahmedabad Marathon Opens Entries for 10th Edition, Scheduled for 29 November
Ahmedabad’s largest road-running event is set to reach a major milestone this year, with registrations now open for the 10th edition of the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon, scheduled for 29 November 2026. Organisers announced the opening of entries on 26 July, marking Kargil Vijay Diwas, while continuing the event’s long-running theme, #Run4OurSoldiers, which recognises the service and sacrifice of India’s Armed Forces.
The marathon has developed into one of Gujarat’s best-known sporting events since its launch a decade ago. It now attracts professional athletes, recreational runners, school and college students, corporate teams, and families from across India. Organisers said more than 24,000 people took part in the previous edition, reflecting the steady rise in participation as running gains popularity across the country.
This year’s race will once again begin at the Sabarmati Riverfront Sports Park. Participants will run along the Sabarmati Riverfront and pass several of Ahmedabad’s well-known landmarks before returning to the finish area. Four race categories will be available: the full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.097 km), 10 km and 5 km events, allowing runners with different levels of experience to take part.
The organisers have linked the opening of registrations with Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed every year on 26 July to remember India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War and to honour soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict. Through the #Run4OurSoldiers campaign, participants are encouraged to dedicate their run to members of the Indian Armed Forces.
Road running has expanded rapidly in India over the past two decades. Cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata now host large annual marathons that attract thousands of participants and international competitors. These events have helped promote recreational fitness while also supporting charitable causes, tourism and local businesses. Ahmedabad has joined that list with a marathon that has steadily increased in size since its introduction.
The Adani Ahmedabad Marathon has also earned recognition from national and international athletics bodies. Since 2022, it has appeared on the Global Marathon Event List maintained by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). In addition, all race routes continue to hold certification from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). AIMS is an international organisation that works with marathon organisers worldwide to promote standardised race measurement and quality benchmarks, while AFI is the governing body responsible for athletics in India.
Certified courses are important because they confirm that race distances have been measured according to accepted standards. This gives runners confidence that their finishing times can be recognised for qualification purposes where applicable and allows organisers to maintain consistency from one edition to the next.
The growth of organised running events has mirrored increasing public interest in fitness. According to health experts, regular physical activity, including running and brisk walking, can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and several lifestyle-related illnesses. Large community races also encourage people who may not normally compete in sports to set personal fitness goals and train over several months.
Ahmedabad has witnessed a similar rise in organised sporting events in recent years. The city regularly hosts national and international competitions in cricket, athletics, cycling and other disciplines, supported by expanding sports infrastructure and growing public participation. Community races have become part of that calendar, attracting runners from neighbouring states as well as local residents.
Speaking about the anniversary edition, Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer (CBO), Adani Sportsline, said: “The 10th edition of the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon marks an important milestone in our journey to build a stronger running culture in Gujarat. What began as an effort to encourage more people to embrace running has grown into one of the state’s largest community sporting events. Opening registrations on Kargil Vijay Diwas makes this edition especially meaningful. Through #Run4OurSoldiers, we invite people to run in honour of the courage, dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces as we celebrate a decade of the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon.”
Adani Sportsline, the sports business arm of the Adani Group, has expanded its presence in Indian sport through investments in grassroots programmes, professional teams and sporting events. Alongside the Ahmedabad Marathon, the organisation has been involved in initiatives across cricket, athletics and other disciplines as part of its broader sports portfolio.
For Ahmedabad, the marathon has become more than a competitive race. Hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local businesses often benefit from the arrival of visiting runners and their families. Volunteers, medical teams, event staff and civic agencies also play important roles in managing the large gathering safely and efficiently.
With registrations now underway, organisers expect another strong turnout when runners gather on 29 November. As the event celebrates its tenth edition, the marathon is expected to combine competitive racing with community participation while continuing its focus on fitness and its tribute to members of India’s Armed Forces.
