The top three finishers in both the Indian Elite men\u2019s and women\u2019s categories will receive prize money of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh, respectively. Additionally, there is a bonus of Rs 2 lakh for setting an event record, as well as a jackpot of Rs 1 lakh for achieving an Indian event record. Currently, the Indian event records are held by Nitendra Singh Rawat (2:15:48) in the men\u2019s category and Sudha Singh (2:34:56) in the women\u2019s category.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anish Thapa leads the men\u2019s elite field, demonstrating his strong championship record after winning the Hyderabad Marathon 2025. As an experienced runner, he has a personal best of 2:16:41, achieved in Delhi in 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He will encounter strong competition from Man Singh, the runner-up at the Mumbai Marathon 2025. Man Singh has an impressive personal best of 2:13:25, set at the 2025 Valencia Marathon. He is the third-fastest Indian marathoner ever and won the 2024 Asian Marathon Championships, making him a prominent contender.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adding to the competition is Srinu Bugatha, a two-time Mumbai Marathon Champion (2020 & 2024), returning with proven experience on this course. He will be accompanied by Pradeep Singh Chaudhary, who has been steadily improving on the domestic circuit and is emerging as a formidable challenger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The women\u2019s elite race features Nirmaben Thakor, aiming for a historic third Mumbai Marathon win. She will compete against Jyoti Gawate, a two-time winner in 2011 and 2017, who is making a notable comeback. Additionally, Lalita Babbar achieved three consecutive wins from 2012 to 2014, a record Nirmaben hopes to match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bhagirathi, a marathon winner in Hyderabad and Delhi, also competes, with a personal best of 2:48:56 set in Delhi. The women\u2019s lineup includes Sonam, who finished on the podium at Mumbai Marathon 2025, and Ashvini Madan Jadhav, one of the youngest athletes in the elite field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The women\u2019s elite race features Nirmaben Thakor, aiming for a historic third Mumbai Marathon win. She will compete against Jyoti Gawate, a two-time winner in 2011 and 2017, who is making a notable comeback. Additionally, Lalita Babbar achieved three consecutive wins from 2012 to 2014, a record Nirmaben hopes to match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This year\u2019s race will include 36 of the country\u2019s best athletes, with 23 men and 13 women, competing intensely for the men\u2019s and women\u2019s titles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n