Kartik Karkera delivered a breakthrough performance at the 11th edition of the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon on Sunday, clocking a personal best of 2:13:10 to claim top honours in the elite men’s race and comfortably breach the Asian Games qualification mark.
In what turned out to be one of the most competitive finishes in recent editions of the event, Karkera held off a late charge from seasoned campaigners Gopi Thonakal and Man Singh to clinch victory over the 42.2 km course. Gopi finished a mere two seconds behind in 2:13:12, while Man Singh secured third place with a personal best of 2:13:15.
All three athletes dipped well below the Asian Games qualification standard of 2:15:04 for men, strengthening India’s long-distance running contingent ahead of the continental event scheduled later this year in Japan. The trio’s tightly packed finish underscored both the tactical nature and the depth of competition in the race, with less than five seconds separating the top three at the finish line.
Karkera’s run marks a significant step forward in his marathon progression. A 28-year-old orthopaedic surgeon by profession, he showcased remarkable endurance and race management to maintain pace through the closing kilometres and withstand sustained pressure from his experienced rivals in the final stretch.
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While the elite men’s race delivered standout performances and qualification-worthy timings, the women’s field fell short of the Asian Games benchmark of 2:31:52. Thakor Nirmaben Bharatjee, however, produced a composed run to secure the women’s marathon title in 2:41:15. Bhagirathi followed in second place with a time of 2:43:28, while Ashwini Madan Jadhav rounded out the podium in 2:56:59.
The Cognizant New Delhi Marathon, certified as a National Marathon by the Athletics Federation of India, once again attracted a large international field. More than 30,000 runners from 31 countries and 490 cities participated across various race categories, highlighting the event’s growing stature on the global distance running calendar.
Olympic medallist Vijender Singh and tennis star Rohan Bopanna flagged off the marquee races in the early hours and later presented trophies and prize money to the winners.
Speaking after the event, Race Director and NEB Sports CMD Nagaraj Adiga acknowledged the continued growth of the marathon, noting the increasing participation of elite Indian athletes alongside international competitors as a key milestone for the race’s development.
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In the half-marathon category, Kuldip Kumar emerged victorious in the men’s race with a timing of 1:08:51, finishing ahead of Ravi Bumbak (1:09:33) and Mohammad Sahil Anigeri (1:09:41). Among women, Genet Shikur Reshid claimed the top spot in 1:19:36, narrowly edging Ekta Ekta (1:19:39), with Priti Lamva securing third place in 1:19:59.
The 10K races also saw competitive finishes across both sections. Manav Sharma clocked 30:40 to win the men’s event, followed by Prakash Rai (30:44) and Vishal Singh (34:45). In the women’s 10K, Anjali topped the standings in 37:05, with Neha finishing second in 41:50 and Anupriti Mishra placing third in 41:48.
With three Indian men breaching the Asian Games qualification standard in a single race, the 2026 edition of the New Delhi Marathon may well prove to be a defining moment in the country’s marathon running landscape as India builds towards the next major international cycle.
