Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) successfully concluded the 8th edition of the Manipal Marathon on 8 February 2026 at KMC Greens, Manipal, marking yet another milestone for one of India’s largest student-led community fitness events. The marathon witnessed participation from over 20,000 runners, including more than 100 international athletes, competing across multiple categories for a prize pool exceeding ₹25 lakh.
Organised by MAHE, an Institution of Eminence and Deemed-to-be University, the Manipal Marathon has grown steadily from a campus initiative into a nationally recognised sporting event with rising global participation. This year’s edition welcomed runners from over 10 countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan, Germany, England, the USA, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, and Dubai, further enhancing its international stature.
The 2026 marathon was held under the theme “Miles for a Greener Tomorrow – Run for a Sustainable Future”, reinforcing MAHE’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility. The event aligned with the university’s ongoing sustainability initiatives such as tree plantation drives, biodiversity conservation, solar energy adoption, rainwater harvesting, waste management, and sustainable mobility practices, extending its impact well beyond the campus.
Addressing participants and spectators, Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, said the overwhelming turnout reflected the institution’s vision of holistic development. He noted that the marathon not only promotes fitness and wellness but also strengthens community engagement and environmental awareness. What began as a student-driven initiative has today evolved into a major community fitness movement with international participation.
One of the standout features of the event was the scenic beachside route for the 42K marathoners, offering runners a memorable and visually striking experience. The newly introduced 10K route, which included the Manipal Hospice Respite Centre, further highlighted the marathon’s focus on social impact and inclusivity.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor; Dr Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences; Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro Vice Chancellor, Mangalore Campus; Dr Anand Venugopal, Chief Operating Officer; and Dr Gopalakrishna Prabhu, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim Manipal University.
Winners across categories included Sathish Kumar and Senait Kefelegn Lesharge in the 42K men’s and women’s races, Rijwan Ali and Bhawana Negi in the 21K category, and Shivanand Chigari and Shahin S Dharwad in the 10K races, among others.
The marathon concluded with a lively post-run carnival featuring music, fitness activities, and Zumba sessions. MAHE also expressed gratitude to title sponsors ICICI Bank, UNEXT, Deloitte, BOBCARD, and supporting partners for
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