RUNNING CALENDAR: What to race in 2016? We got you covered. Just start the training!
- By Aishhwariya Subramanian
- January 25, 2016
WITH THE CONCLUSION of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on January 17th, 2016, the running calendar for 2015 is officially over (runners train through the previous year to run SCMM in January). While most runners would be taking some time to recover from the season, it’s never too early to start planning out the races you can participate in 2016. Here’s our top pick of races you could participate in this year.
Please Note: We have restricted ourselves to marathons and shorter races.
FEBRUARY
Auroville Marathon – February 14th
Runners describe Auroville marathon held in Pondicherry as “homely”. A trail run, participants get to run through picturesque woods and swear by the pasta served by the organizers the previous day. This however is not described as a traditional PB (personal best) course because the trail makes it hard for runners.
https://marathon.auroville.com/
Capital Run: New Delhi Marathon – Feb 28th
The first inaugural Capital Run – New Delhi Marathon will take place on what is the second-last day of February in a leap year. Organized by the team behind the Bengaluru Marathon, runners can choose from three categories: 5K, half marathon, and full marathon. The organizers are also conducting a series of training runs for those in Delhi to help them prepare for the race.
MARCH
Devil’s Circuit – March 13th
Yes. The course is only 5k. So, we are guessing you think it won’t even be worth getting out of your bed early on a Sunday morning. But the Devil’s Circuit, (this would be the Gurgaon edition) isn’t just any road race – it’s an obstacle course. You get to wade through muddy waters, and jump over muddy logs, hop across over 100 tyres and overcome far more obstacles for five whole kilometres. Still seems easy?
MAY
The Coorg Escapade – May 1st
If you want to run past waterfalls and coffee plantations, and take in splendid views of beautiful valleys, then the Coorg Escapade is the race for you. Runners generally take this weekend to get some serious hill training leading up to TCS 10k.
https://www.thecoorgescapade.com/
Himalayan Running and Living Marathon – May 6th
On its 5th iteration, this marathon can be a bit pricey for some (the full marathon is priced at Rs 5,000 for early bird registrations), but you do get to run through the Himalayas. It’s hard and some parts of the trail don’t even qualify as actual road (it’s mostly rocks), but you get to run through the Himalayas. Need we say more?
https://runningandliving.com/our-runs/himalayan-marathon
TCS 10k – May 15th
Quite possibly the first “big” race of the Indian running calendar, runners from across the country come to Bangalore to participate in the TCS 10k which means you get to test yourself against some of the best amateur runners in the country. It is also a chance to get to see some of the best elite runners from India and abroad try to one up on each other.
https://tcsworld10k.procamrunning.in/
JULY
Dream Runners Half Marathon – July 24th
If you can manage the humidity, then the Dream Runners Half Marathon held in Chennai is one of the best courses to achieve a Personal Best. The course is nearly flat throughout and easy and the aid stations are well stocked. Runners can also choose to run in the 10k category.
https://dreamrunners.in/drhm-2015/
AUGUST
Hyderabad Marathon – August 28th
The organizers of the Hyderabad Marathon often boast that this is one of the hardest city marathons in the country and they aren’t far off in their estimate. HM is hard. There are no traditional hills but you do find flyovers (three of them!) that start playing mind games with you after a certain point. It’s quite normal to see runners along the course look like they have lost the will to move while still chugging along the race. So, why participate in this torture fest? Because you get bragging rights for life for having even attempted it.
https://www.marathonhyderabad.com/
OCTOBER
Bengaluru Marathon – October 23rd
Bangalore has really transformed itself into the running capital of India, so it’s not surprising to see some of the most prestigious races taking place in the city (you can also sign up for the Kaveri Trail Marathon that happens in September) but the Bengaluru Marathon has the distinction of being the city’s only full marathon race. It has also distinguished itself for seriously pampering its runners. Apart from free training runs and free breakfast, runners tend to get free t-shirts for simply showing up for training runs. Of course the race is also a chance to run alongside some of the best elite and amateur runners in the country but we can’t get past all the free swag.
https://www.bengalurumarathon.in/
NOVEMBER
Spice Coast Marathon – *November 13th
If there is one thing that runners who compete in the Spice Coast Marathon talk about repeatedly, it’s humidity. The fact it’s held in “God’s Own Country” means that this race will deliver on the picturesque promises made by its organizers, The Soles of Cochin. But this is quite possibly a race to really push as it’s an official Boston Qualifier Course. Just make sure you remain hydrated and you could run the Boston Marathon the next year!
https://spicecoastmarathon.com/
Delhi Half Marathon – November 27th
The DHM prides itself on being one of the “fastest” half marathons in the country (scratch that, the world) and nearly every runners comes out it with a shiny new PB. The cold winter morning, the completely flat course and a route that takes one across all major landmarks of the capital city, makes this a race one cannot miss.
DECEMBER
Goa River Marathon – *December 11th
Need a reason to head to Goa in December that has nothing to do with music festivals and parties? Well, the Goa River Marathon offers you a chance to run from Chicalim to Cortalim in Goa and the route is absolutely breathtaking. But the best part? After you finish the race, you can just jump into the beach to recover.
https://www.goarivermarathon.com/
JANUARY 2017
Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon
Amazing crowd support. An easy enough route to dream to achieving a Personal Best. And some of the best runners in the country and the world. This race is generally considered the Mecca for Indian runners. So, make sure you register for the race in 2016.
https://scmm.procamrunning.in/
*The race dates are subject to change
