Hyderabad Marathon 2026 set to draw 32,000 runners

The 15th Hyderabad Marathon will be held on August 29 and 30, with more than 32,000 runners expected across four categories. The event has secured the World Athletics Label and will highlight sustainability initiatives and charity fundraising.

Hyderabad: The 15th edition of the Hyderabad Marathon is set to turn the city into a hub of running and fitness on August 29 and 30, with more than 32,000 participants expected to take part in the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K categories.

Organised by the Hyderabad Runners Society in partnership with NMDC Ltd, IDFC FIRST Bank and the Telangana government, the event has once again secured the World Athletics Label, positioning Hyderabad as one of India’s premier running destinations.

---

It will feature elite athletes from India and abroad, leading distance runners and thousands of amateur fitness enthusiasts and carries a total prize purse of Rs 45 lakh.

The 2026 edition comes on the back of a significant international sustainability achievement. The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025 became the first marathon in India to receive the World Athletics Athletics for a Better World (ABW) Silver Standard.

The event scored 84 points in an independent evaluation covering planning, implementation, documentation and measurable impact. The sustainability initiatives included a zero-waste-to-landfill approach, with waste segregated for recycling, composting and conversion into biogas. Single-use plastics were reduced through biodegradable cornstarch plates, wooden cutlery and recyclable paper cups. Participants were also offered a voluntary ‘No Tee Shirt’ option, which was chosen by nearly 30 per cent of runners.

The event achieved 100 per cent recycling of water bottles used at the stadium, while discarded flex banners were up-cycled through a partnership with Goonj. Green mobility was promoted through more than 100 buses for participant transportation and electric vehicles for elite runners and volunteers. Air-quality monitoring and inspections were also carried out along the race routes to identify waste dumping and garbage-burning hotspots.

According to PVS Prasad, a runner and volunteer, Hyderabad Runners has been working to build a wider running culture in the city. “Its ‘Couch to 5K’ programme has helped more than 7,000 first-time runners begin their transition from walking to running. With more than 30 running groups across Hyderabad, the organisation provides beginners with training, mentoring and community support,” he said.

The 2026 marathon has also partnered with more than 30 charity organisations, with a fundraising target of Rs 4 crore.