Face2News/Chandigarh
The Chandigarh Administration is set to organise the Chandigarh International Marathon on 1st March, marking a historic milestone in the city’s sporting calendar. Organised through the Sports Department, the event will be the first international marathon to be hosted in Chandigarh and the largest sporting event of its kind ever organised in the city. The marathon will be flagged off by Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh.
More than 3,500 runners, including 38 international athletes, are expected to participate, making it one of the most prominent running events in the region.
The marathon will feature four categories — Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon, 10-km Timed Run and 5-km Run. The Full Marathon, which must be completed within six hours, will commence from Chandigarh Club and follow a scenic route covering High Court Chowk, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Lake Club, Matka Chowk, Transport Lights, Rose Garden Road, PGI Gate No. 3, Leisure Valley and CM House Chowk, before concluding at Chandigarh Club.
The marathon will feature four categories — Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon, 10-km Timed Run and 5-km Run. The Full Marathon, which must be completed within six hours, will commence from Chandigarh Club and follow a scenic route covering High Court Chowk, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Lake Club, Matka Chowk, Transport Lights, Rose Garden Road, PGI Gate No. 3, Leisure Valley and CM House Chowk, before concluding at Chandigarh Club.
The Half Marathon will be conducted on the same route in a single round. The 10-km timed run will also start from Chandigarh Club, passing through the same stretch up to Matka Chowk, and then proceed towards the Air Force Museum, Rose Garden and Government Museum before finishing at the starting point. The 5-km run will follow the Sukhna Path stretch. Rankings in the competitive categories will be determined on the basis of recorded timings.
The total prize pool for the marathon stands at ₹1,00,16,000, making it one of the most rewarding sporting events ever organised by the Sports Department.
The prize money slabs for each category are as follows:
• Full Marathon: ₹20,000 to ₹7,00,000 • Half Marathon: ₹15,000 to ₹4,00,000 • 10-km Timed Run: ₹7,000 to ₹2,00,000
Prizes will be distributed across age categories ranging from 18 years to 50+ years. In addition to age-category awards, the top three overall winners in each competitive segment will receive attractive cash rewards.
A total of 138 winners will be awarded across various categories, reflecting the scale and competitive stature of the event. Participants in the 5-km run will also receive medals and certificates in recognition of their participation.
Sincere appreciation is expressed to The Coca-Cola Company for sponsoring ₹25 lakh for the event, whose valuable support will greatly strengthen the successful conduct of the marathon.
Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, stated that 1st March will mark a historic day for Punjab and Chandigarh, as the city hosts an International Marathon for the first time. He said that this prestigious event is a significant step towards placing Chandigarh prominently on the international sporting map, with the participation of some of the finest athletes from across the country and around the world. He emphasised that the marathon reflects the Administration’s commitment to promoting a culture of fitness, sportsmanship and community engagement, and appealed to all citizens, educational institutions and religious organisations to warmly welcome and enthusiastically encourage the visiting runners to ensure the grand success of the event.
The marathon is envisioned not merely as a race, but as a celebration of endurance, discipline and collective spirit, bringing the city together in pride and purpose. The 1st of March is poised to be remembered as a defining day in Chandigarh’s sporting history, as the city runs together towards a healthier and stronger future.