- A decade of running for the nation now earns global recognition
- World Athletics listing makes race performances eligible for consideration in global rankings
- 10th edition set for November 29 as Ahmedabad’s flagship road race steps onto international calendar
- From a few thousand runners to 24,000-plus participants, marathon’s remarkable growth mirrors city’s sporting rise
- #Run4OurSoldiers journey continues to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of India’s Armed Forces
- Recognition comes as Ahmedabad prepares for 2030 Commonwealth Games, adding another international sporting milestone
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 5
Ahmedabad is racing onto the global athletics map. The Adani Ahmedabad Marathon has been included in the World Athletics Global Calendar, giving the city’s flagship road race international recognition ahead of its landmark 10th edition on November 29, 2026, with performances at the event eligible for consideration in World Athletics Rankings.
The milestone marks a significant leap for a marathon that has grown from a race attracting a few thousand runners in its early editions to a city-wide sporting spectacle drawing more than 24,000 participants in its previous edition.
The recognition also places Ahmedabad within the international road-racing calendar and comes at a significant moment for the city, which is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
From Ahmedabad’s streets to the global athletics calendar
World Athletics, the global governing body for athletics, oversees the sport across 214 Member Federations and sets standards for international athletics competitions. Its Global Calendar brings recognised competitions from across the world onto a common platform for athletes, federations and the wider athletics community.
For the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon, inclusion in the calendar means performances recorded at the race are eligible for consideration in World Athletics Rankings, giving participating athletes an opportunity to have their performances recognised within the global athletics ecosystem.
The listing also reflects the standards underpinning the event, including course measurement and certification, race operations, medical preparedness, timing and results, elite athlete management, and compliance with applicable athletics and anti-doping regulations.
A marathon that has grown with Ahmedabad
The journey has been equally remarkable on the streets of Ahmedabad.
What began with a few thousand runners has evolved into one of the city’s major sporting events, with more than 24,000 runners participating in the previous edition.
The marathon has increasingly become a city-wide celebration, bringing together runners, volunteers, families and Armed Forces personnel across Ahmedabad.
The growth in participation has also been accompanied by a distinctive purpose that has remained central to the event.
A decade of running for the soldiers
The marathon’s #Run4OurSoldiers journey has run alongside its sporting growth for a decade, bringing citizens and the Armed Forces together to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of India’s soldiers.
That association has given the event an identity beyond competition, connecting the city’s passion for running with a larger national tribute to the Armed Forces.
As the marathon enters its 10th edition, the decade-long journey gives the World Athletics recognition an added dimension — a global sporting milestone rooted in a distinctly Indian purpose.
Ahmedabad’s sporting ambitions gain another boost
The recognition comes as Ahmedabad prepares for another major sporting chapter — hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
For a city seeking to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and establish itself as a venue for major international sporting events, the inclusion of its flagship marathon in the World Athletics Global Calendar adds another significant achievement to its growing sporting profile.
The development also underlines the potential of road racing to contribute to Ahmedabad’s broader sporting culture, bringing elite competition and mass participation together on the city’s streets.
‘A proud moment for everyone who has made this marathon what it is today’
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline, said:
“Being part of the World Athletics Global Calendar is a proud moment for everyone who has made this marathon what it is today, from the runners and volunteers to the Armed Forces personnel who run alongside us.”
He said the recognition validates the standards built around the event.
“This recognition validates the standards we have built, including course certification, runner safety, timing systems and elite athlete management.”
Adesara also highlighted the unique connection between the marathon and Ahmedabad.
“Ahmedabad celebrates this marathon as a festival, with people from every neighbourhood coming onto the streets together.”
Looking ahead to the landmark 10th edition, he added:
“As we head into our 10th edition, we remain committed to giving this city a race worthy of this recognition.”
With the World Athletics Global Calendar now providing an international platform, the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon enters its 10th edition with more than a decade of running behind it — and an increasingly global road ahead.