The fourth edition of the Manipal Hospitals Sreebhumi Gold Marathon 2026 witnessed massive participation, reaffirming its position as one of the biggest road running events in the region. Organised by the Sreebhumi Sporting Club under the aegis of Sri Sujit Bose, MLA, Bidhannagar, and President of the Sreebhumi Sporting Club, the marathon drew more than 10,000 participants across categories.
The event featured races in multiple distances, including the 21 km Half Marathon, 10 km run, and 3 km fun run, with the 3 km run accounting for the highest number of participants. Approximately 1,500 runners competed in the Half Marathon, 2,500 in the 10 km, and nearly 6,000 participants took part in the 3 km fun run, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for both recreational and competitive running.
A major highlight of the event was the substantial prize money on offer, with a strong emphasis on equality. The 21 km Half Marathon winners received ₹1 lakh each in the men’s and women’s categories. The second- and third-place finishers were awarded ₹75,000 and ₹50,000, respectively. In the 10 km category, the prize money stood at ₹50,000 for first place, ₹30,000 for second, and ₹20,000 for third.
In addition to the open categories, the marathon also recognised performances across age groups, with prizes awarded in the 18–29, 30–39, 40–49, and 50-plus categories, encouraging participation across generations.
The event was graced by several eminent personalities from Indian sport, adding prestige to the occasion. Among those present were renowned footballers Alvito D’Cunha, Jose Ramires Barreto, and Denson Devdas; archers Rahul Banerjee and Dola Banerjee; former Olympian shooter Joydeep Karmakar; and chess Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, among others.
With its growing scale, strong organisational backing, and focus on inclusivity and equal opportunity, the Manipal Hospitals Sreebhumi Gold Marathon continues to strengthen its reputation as a landmark sporting event in the city’s calendar.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sujit Bose emphasised the importance of such runs for a healthier lifestyle. He said, “I’m an avid sports lover. I run a football team, the Sreebhumi Sports Club, for both men and women. Over the years, I’ve visited multiple top marathons in the country, especially the Tata Mumbai Marathon.
“Many of my close ones in this area have asked me to start a marathon along with my other sporting ventures, and that was the motivation to start this marathon four years ago,” he added. “Every year we have seen increased participation, and this year it has crossed 10,000. It will only grow year on year.”
Grandmaster Barua spoke about the changing perception of the Bengali community. “There’s this notion that Bengalis are used to being lazy on a winter morning, but such runs change that perception,” he said. “Thousands of people, young and old, coming at five in the morning to run – it’s incredible.”
With the Chess Candidates coming up in March, Barua mentioned R Praggnanandhaa as the sole participant from India at the global event. He said, “It’s unfortunate that it’s only him at the Candidates, but I hope he wins it and we have two Indians playing in the next World Championship.
“We’ve generally seen the Russians dominating, but now India is also at the helm of global chess,” he added. “Hopefully, we’ll see that continue.”
Olympic shooter Karmakar also reflected on the event. Speaking to RevSportz, he said, “Though winter is fading, it’s amazing to see this event – thousands of people coming out so early in the morning and running this marathon.
“Earlier, there was a notion that Bengalis are lazy, but this doesn’t show anything like that. Kids are taking part, the elderly are taking part, and some participants have come from other countries as well. It’s an amazing experience to be a part of.”
With the Asian Shooting Championships starting from February 2, followed by the ISSF World Cups and the Asian Games later this year, 2026 is an important year for Indian shooting. “I’m optimistic about the year ahead,” said Karmakar. “We have so many talented shooters, both young and experienced, and I’m sure we’ll do well in the big competitions.”
Leaderboards
21K – Men’s
Gold – Panchanan Bera – 1:07:44
Silver – Abhishek – 1:07:56
Bronze – Mohit Singh – 1:09:58
21K – Women’s
Gold – Renu Singh – 1:18:47
Silver – Lelei Lilian Jepkemboi (Kenya) – 1:23:30
Bronze – Shama Gain – 1:24:15
