Adani Ahmedabad Marathon Joins World Athletics Global Calendar

When the World Athletics Global Calendar accepts a race, it is not handing out participation trophies. The standards are specific: course measurement and certification, medical preparedness, elite athlete management, timing systems, and full anti-doping compliance. Every race on that list had to earn its place. As of October 2026, the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon is on it — and it did so heading into only its 10th edition.

The announcement landed on 5 October 2026, just 55 days out from race day on 29 November. The timing is deliberate. Ahmedabad is not just running a milestone anniversary edition. It is running it as a city in the middle of building a global sporting identity ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Getting the flagship marathon onto the World Athletics calendar is part of that architecture.

What Does World Athletics Global Calendar Listing Mean for Runners at Ahmedabad?

The practical upside for competitive runners is straightforward. Performances at the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon are now eligible for consideration in the World Athletics Rankings. World Athletics oversees athletics across 214 Member Federations, and its global calendar is the unified reference point for recognised competitions worldwide. Getting listed puts Ahmedabad alongside the international road-racing circuit in a way that AIMS certification alone does not.

For the everyday runner this changes nothing about the experience on the Sabarmati Riverfront. But for competitive athletes chasing rankings points or building an international racing profile, a verified result from a World Athletics-listed race carries weight that a non-listed event simply cannot.

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer at Adani Sportsline, put it plainly: “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. This recognition validates the standards we have built, including course certification, runner safety, timing systems and elite athlete management. Ahmedabad celebrates this marathon as a festival, with people from every neighbourhood coming onto the streets together. As we head into our 10th edition, we remain committed to giving this city a race worthy of this recognition.”

What Is New at the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon 10th Edition

The 9th edition brought out more than 24,000 runners — up from a field of a few thousand when the race first launched. Over 2,000 defence personnel participate each year, which shapes the atmosphere in a way that is genuinely different from most city marathons. You feel it at the start line.

For the 10th edition, the organisers have confirmed three headline additions. First, special commemorative medals and limited-edition merchandise to mark a decade of the race. Second, an enhanced heritage course with added Cheer Zones and cultural live performances along the route through the Sabarmati Riverfront and Atal Bridge. Third, an expanded push for international elite athletes, which now makes more sense with the World Athletics listing providing the credibility to attract serious talent.

Eligibility, Prize Money and What to Know Before You Register

The full marathon has an experience requirement that catches first-timers out every year. You need a verified Full Marathon or Half Marathon completion on or after 30 November 2023 — within 6 hours 30 minutes for the full and 3 hours 30 minutes for the half. If you are a debut marathoner, the 10K or half marathon is where you start at this race.

Prize money is open to all finishers — domestic and international — across the Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K categories. The Armed Forces category runs within the Half Marathon and requires registration through the participant’s own unit rather than the public registration portal.

For the full runner’s guide to the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon — including course maps, past results, accommodation and everything else you need for race day — read our complete guide: Adani Ahmedabad Marathon: Complete Runner’s Guide.