India, Nov. 4 -- More than 41,000 people ran the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on October 18, up from 39,513 last year. Mumbai took a record 69,100 entries in January. Ahmedabad's field tripled from 8,000 in 2017 to over 24,000 in 2025. Even the Ladakh marathon, which arguably offers the most demanding course, saw 477 ultra runners participate in the 122-km Silk Route Ultra and the 72-km Khardung La Challenge this year.

It is clear that marathons have established an undeniable pull. Fitness is increasingly becoming a lifestyle choice in India, and the growing popularity of running encapsulates this shift. KPMG's Sportlight report (September 2025) says marathons and running clubs have "exploded in popularity". Sponsors have followed the boo...