In global road running, longevity is a marker of credibility. Any race that crosses the two-decade mark earns the label of a “historical” event, and as the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 enters its 21st edition, it firmly belongs in that category.
What further elevates the 2026 edition is the quality of the international elite field, one that promises a genuinely fast and fiercely contested race on the streets of Mumbai on Sunday, January 18.
The numbers alone underline the scale of competition awaiting spectators and fans. As many as eight men and six women in this year’s start list arrive with personal bests superior to the existing course records. Those benchmarks of 2:07:32 in the men’s race by Ethiopia’s Hayle Lemi Berhanu and 2:24:15 in the women’s event by Anchialem Haymanot have stood since 2023. With such depth assembled, the possibility of record-breaking performances is no longer speculative but realistic.
As a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, the Tata Mumbai Marathon continues to attract world-class talent. The prize structure reflects its global standing, with the top three finishers in both men’s and women’s categories earning US$50,000, US$25,000, and US$15,000 respectively from a total prize purse of US$390,238. An additional US$15,000 awaits any athlete who can rewrite the event record, adding further incentive to an already elite field.
The men’s race is expected to be particularly compelling. Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete Weldemaryam returns as a leading contender after finishing runner-up last year behind compatriot Berhane Tesfay. While Kesete’s personal best of 2:06:36 may not be the fastest in the field, his proven ability to race tactically on Mumbai’s demanding course makes him a strong favorite.
Standing in his way is a formidable cast. Uganda’s Victor Kiplangat, the reigning world champion from 2023, brings championship pedigree and a personal best of 2:05:09. South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka adds further intrigue, while Ethiopia’s Bazezew Asmare Belay and Tadu Abate Deme bolster an already strong East African presence. Asmare, with a personal best of 2:04:57 from the Amsterdam Marathon, is the fastest entrant on paper and represents a serious threat to both the title and the course record.
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The depth does not stop there. Runners such as Dejene Debela Gonfa (2:05:46), Kelkile Gezahegn Woldaregay (2:05:56) and Birhan Nebebew Tesfaye (2:06:52) ensure that even minor lapses could prove costly. Tesfaye Demeke, who finished third last year, also returns aiming to climb higher on the podium. With multiple athletes capable of sustaining a sub-2:06 pace, the men’s race is shaping up as one of the most competitive in the event’s history.
The women’s field, too, carries significant quality and compelling storylines. Ethiopia’s Medina Deme Armino, who finished third in 2025, returns with renewed optimism. Unlike last year, when she faced stiff competition from Kenyan and Bahraini runners, the 2026 line-up is dominated by her compatriots, potentially easing the tactical complexity of the race and opening the door for a podium push.
Leading the contenders is Zinash Gerado Senbeta, who clocked an impressive 2:21:05 while winning in Ljubljana in 2023. Notably, her marathon journey began in Mumbai four years ago, where she finished seventh a reminder of how the race has served as a launchpad for elite careers. Yeshi Kalayu Chekole adds further strength, having posted 2:21:17 at the Zurich Marathon de Sevilla in 2021 and arriving in Mumbai in strong recent form after a podium finish in Incheon.
The fastest woman in the field, however, remains Shure Demise. Her 2:20:59 clocking in Dubai in 2015 still stands as a world best for a junior athlete over the marathon distance. Although recorded over a decade ago, that performance underlines the caliber of athlete Mumbai will host and keeps the prospect of a new course record firmly alive.
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Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International, summed up the significance of the elite line-up: “When eight men and six women on the start line arrive with personal bests faster than our existing event records, it underlines the global standing the Tata Mumbai Marathon now enjoys.”
Beyond times and titles, the 2026 edition reinforces the marathon’s place as a cornerstone of India’s road running ecosystem. With world-class athletes, substantial rewards, and a course that challenges and rewards in equal measure, the Tata Mumbai Marathon continues to blend history with high performance. As the city prepares to host the world once again, all signs point to a race that could redefine the limits of what has previously been achieved on Mumbai’s streets.
