Manipal Marathon-2026 on February 8 expected to attract 20,000 runners

The 8th edition of the Manipal Marathon—2026 will be held on February 8, 2026 and it is expected to draw about 20,000 runners, according to the Pro Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) H. S. Ballal.

Addressing presspersons in Manipal on Monday, he said that the marathon would start from KMC Greens, Manipal.

He said that the participants expected would include over 100 international athletes, and all the runners would compete for a total prize pool exceeding ₹25 lakh.

The theme of the marathon is ‘Miles for a Greener Tomorrow’, with the tagline ‘Run for a Sustainable Future’’.

The marathon would feature five race categories — the 42K Full Marathon, 21K Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and 3K Fun Run — catering to participants across diverse age groups and fitness levels.

The event was expected to attract runners from across India and abroad, with international participation from Dubai, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the U.S., he said.

The race day would commence with the 42K Full Marathon flag-off at 5 a.m., followed by the 21K Half Marathon at 5.30 a.m., the 10K run at 6 a.m., the 5K run at 6.45 a.m., and the 3K Fun Run at 8 a.m.

The Special Category races for physically and visually challenged participants would be flagged off at 8.30 a.m. The event would culminate in a high-energy post-run carnival at KMC Greens, Manipal.

The speciality of the Manipal Marathon is its scenic beachside route for the 42K Full Marathon, offering runners a truly distinctive race experience. This year, the 10K run features a newly introduced route leading to the Manipal Hospice Respite Centre.

Vice-Chancellor of MAHE Lt. Gen. M D Venkatesh (retd) said anchored in the tagline ‘Run for a Sustainable Future,’ the event went beyond competition to promote environmental responsibility, discipline, inclusivity, and collective well-being.

The marathon would be preceded by the inaugural MAHETHON 2026, a half-marathon scheduled on January 25, 2026 on the MAHE Bengaluru Campus, the Vice-Chancellor said.