Mumbai Marathon: Wow!

Feb 24
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

With more than 65,000 runners taking part in multiple distances, including the half and the full marathons and a course that weaves through the city's principal landmarks you can understand why the Mumbai Marathon is the biggest running festival on the continent. Check out the new route taking in Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Haji Ali Dargah, the Bandra-Worli Sea link and the Mumbai Coastal Road and take in everything that makes Mumbai one of the most intriguing cities on the planet.

Row of yellow and black taxis in Mumbai with colourful luggage racks. Airtel ad visible on window mirrors. Urban street in the background.

The Destination

Mumbai is truly the spirit of all that is India. It’s absolutely chaotic, hot and humid, beautiful. and messy and has the biggest divide between the have and have nots anywhere in the world. There are 18 million in the city and more than 23 million in the metropolitan area. The accommodation options are inevitably massive, from the likes of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, right by the Gateway of India and built in 1903 to a myriad of budget options that are a fraction of the cost of their European equivalents.

Gateway of India, the most iconic landmark in Mumbai, was built in 1924 by George Willet to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. It's best to visit early morning or late evening when it's cooler and crowds are lighter. It's next to the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, next to the Arabian Sea,TGrab a ferry and check it out from the water to give a different perspective.

There's the Red Carpet Wax Museum, Snow World and many other Western style attractions and there's the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site: rock-cut caves that date back to several centuries. There's Marine Drive, a really popular place to visit in Mumbai at night and Colaba, the city's heritage district. There are many, many places to see in this fascinating city and you'll see plenty of them on the course.

History

In 2003 Anil and Vivek, founders of Procam International, attended the London Marathon and it was this visit that inspired the Mumbai Marathon. With the support of the Government and a multitude of local and international partners it has grown over time and spawned over 1500 running events across India.

The social impact of the Marathon is unrivalled. Since its inception, the event has raised in excess of 38 million dollars, benefitting over 700 charity organisations. It is now the single largest fundraising event in India.

Today, the Mumbai Marathon is amongst the top 10 marathons in the world and has put India on the global map of distance running.

Race Organiser

Procam International organise this and many other road races in India (and much more).

When?

The race is held annually in January - normally on the third Sunday.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai — The start area at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

Distances

There are six different race categories: Full Marathon (42.195 kms), Half Marathon (21.097 kms), Dream Run (6.6 km), Senior Citizens Race (4.7 km), Champions with Disability category (2.1 km) and the Open 10K

Is there an Expo?

There is an expo where race packets need to be collected for 4 days prior to the event. It's possible to book a bib pick up slot, which is especially helpful for overseas runners.

How many runners?

65,000 entrants across all distances.

Course

As you'd expect it's another early start, with events kicking off at 5.30 am in the dark. This is quite normal, especially in Asia, given the heat and humidity. It's in the middle of winter, but as it's India, it will still be warm and at the finish it will be very warm. At the start it's likely to be 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees centigrade) and at the finish just under double that, which is pretty ok for Mumbai.

The race begins outside the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Municipal Corporation Building, surrounded by the historic heart of Mumbai. From here, the route moves past Flora Fountain and the Hutatma Chowk Memorial before heading alongside the green expanse of Oval Maidan. Runners continue past Churchgate Station and Brabourne Stadium, then enter Marine Drive toward the Air India Building. After a left turn onto Madam Cama Road, a U-turn brings runners back to Marine Drive. The route continues south toward the NCPA before another U-turn — completing the first 5 km.

Bandra Worli Sea Link in mumbai — Bandra-Worli Sea Link at the 17-18km point

From Marine Drive, the course continues along the flat stretch known as the Queen’s Necklace. Runners pass Girgaon Chowpatty Beach as they approach Babulnath Temple at the 10 km mark.

Here, the route turns right toward Peddar Road, climbing gradually for the next kilometers. After cresting the climb, the course descends toward the iconic Haji Ali Dargah, reaching approximately the 13 km point. From Haji Ali, the route takes the northbound ramp onto the Mumbai Coastal Road, a modern sea-side highway featuring reclaimed land, bridges, and tunnels. After several kilometers, runners join the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, one of Mumbai’s most recognisable landmarks.

The course crosses the bridge before descending toward Mahim Causeway, which connects the island city to the suburbs.From Mahim, the route continues through tree-lined roads passing Shivaji Park and the Siddhivinayak Temple area in Prabhadevi. Runners proceed toward Worli Seaface and continue along the Coastal Road stretch to Worli Dairy, where a U-turn directs them back toward Worli Interchange.After the Worli turn, runners re-enter the Coastal Road heading south. The route descends off the Coastal Road near Haji Ali before looping back toward Peddar Road.

This section includes the return climb past Babulnath Temple before descending again toward Marine Drive.The final stretch runs along Marine Drive toward South Mumbai. Runners pass Wankhede Stadium before continuing along the waterfront. The course finishes back near the historic CSMT area, where the race began, completing the full marathon route through Mumbai’s heritage districts, coastline, and modern infrastructure corridors.

What's unique?

Mumbai is an incredible city. It's hard to find anywhere quite like it. Imagine the thrills of running with no traffic alongside thousands of others, in one of the most insane countries anywhere in the world.

Marine Drive in Mumbai at night. The finish area of the Mumbai Marathon. — The finish area on Marine Drive

Do charities benefit?

There is an extensive local charity programme, based on those operated some some of the major European and US events. A number of local charities are involved.

Our verdict

There are not many events like this anywhere in the world. If you're looking for an experience that it will be very difficult to replicate you need to do this one. Somehow the organisers make it work, despite the huge obstacles.

How to register

Online via the website. It does not sell out yet, but don't leave it too late. Entries are normally available until the end of November. Entries are also available via the charity partners.