Tamil Nadu hosts 27+ running events every year across Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Ooty, Salem, Tirupur, Thanjavur and more — from 5K community runs to 90K mountain ultras. Next up: Hexaware Dream Runners Half Marathon on 19 July 2026 (registration open). This page covers every confirmed and expected race in Tamil Nadu through 2026, updated June 2026.
🏃 Upcoming Marathons in Tamil Nadu 2026 — Complete Race Calendar
Every major marathon, half marathon, 10K, community run and ultra across Tamil Nadu — Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Ooty, Trichy, Tirupur, Salem and more. Use the filters below to find races by city, distance, or status.
27+
Events Listed
10+
Cities Covered
1K–90K
Distance Range
Year-Round
Race Calendar
🗓️ Upcoming Marathons & Runs in Tamil Nadu — 2026
📍 Chennai21 Jun 2026
Father’s Day Marathon Chennai 2026
Sunday, 21 June · 5:00 AM · Besant Nagar, Chennai
10K5KFamily Run
Themed community run at Besant Nagar. Early 5 AM start — open to families and first-timers. Low-pressure, inclusive format.
📍 Chennai28 Jun 2026
Azurap’s TN Marathon 2026 — Stride for Women Safety
Sunday, 28 June · 4:30 AM · Olcott Memorial School, Chennai
10K5K
5th edition of Azurap’s awareness race, themed around women’s safety. A purposeful community event with a strong cause.
Sunday, 19 July · Island Grounds / Napier Bridge, Chennai
Half Marathon10K
Chennai’s biggest charity half marathon — 7th year. Nearly 7,000 runners in 2025, raising ₹45+ lakhs for NGOs. Free structured training across 14 city chapters. Registration live now.
📍 Chennai9 Aug 2026
Namma Bessy Mile Run 2026
Sunday, 9 August · 5:00 AM · Olcott Memorial School, Besant Nagar
Mile / ShortCommunity
Neighbourhood pride run in Besant Nagar — one of Chennai’s most popular running zones. Ideal for families and casual runners.
📍 Chennai6 Sep 2026
Chennai Ultra 2026
Sunday, 6 September · Chennai
50K Ultra
A 50K ultra road race in Chennai — one of the few urban ultra events on Tamil Nadu’s annual calendar. Watch ultraracecalendar.com for registration updates.
📍 Tiruvannamalai District31 Oct 2026
Jamunamarathur Ultra 2026
Saturday, 31 October · Jamunamarathur, Tamil Nadu
50K UltraTrail
50K trail ultra through the Jawadhu Hills in Tiruvannamalai district. A Halloween weekend race for serious ultra runners. Watch ultraracecalendar.com for updates.
Flagship annual marathon of Coimbatore supporting cancer awareness. Draws thousands of runners from across Tamil Nadu. December weather is among the best race conditions in the state.
One of South India’s most professionally organised races. Run by Chennai Runners with strong corporate participation. Watch the official website for date and registration announcements.
📍 TirupurDates TBC
Tirupur Runners Marathon 2026
2026 · Tirupur
Half Marathon10K
Growing running community in Tamil Nadu’s textile city organising annual races. Check local Facebook groups and Townscript for 2026 date announcements.
📍 MaduraiDates TBC
Green Madurai Marathon 2026
2026 · Madurai
10K5K
Environment-themed community run in the temple city of Madurai, raising awareness for green initiatives. Typically held in the cooler months.
📍 ErodeDates TBC
Erode Marathon 2026
2026 · Erode
Half Marathon10K
Annual race in Erode drawing runners from across western Tamil Nadu. Steadily growing in participation over recent editions.
📍 Kangayam, Tirupur DistrictDates TBC
Kangayam Marathon 2026
2026 · Kangayam
Half Marathon10K5K
Fast-growing district-level marathon. Popular with runners from Erode, Tirupur and surrounding areas.
📍 Annur, CoimbatoreDates TBC
Annur Marathon 2026
2026 · Annur, Coimbatore District
10K5K
Community marathon in Annur on the outskirts of Coimbatore. Strong local runner turnout each year.
📍 CoimbatoreMultiple Dates
Run for Peace Marathon — Coimbatore 2026
Multiple editions · Coimbatore
10K5K
Awareness-themed run across multiple dates in Coimbatore. Open to all ages and fitness levels.
📍 ChennaiDates TBC
Pink Sakhi Run Chennai 2026
2026 · Chennai
5K10K
Women-focused awareness run in Chennai celebrating women’s health and empowerment through running.
📍 ChennaiDates TBC
Chennai Kids Dream Run 2026
2026 · Chennai
Kids RunFamily Run
Dedicated kids race encouraging children and families to embrace running as a healthy lifestyle habit.
✅ Past Tamil Nadu Running Events — 2026
These events have concluded. Check official websites for 2027 edition announcements.
Tamil Nadu’s biggest marathon — 20,000+ participants. Organised by Chennai Runners, powered by Ashok Leyland. Abbott WMM Age Group qualifier. 14th edition on the iconic Napier Bridge–ECR route.
India’s most unique marathon — held every second Sunday of February through Auroville’s red-earth forest trails. No timing chips, no prize money, no t-shirts. Organised by Auroville Runners under the Auroville Foundation since 2008, purely for the joy of running. Cut-off 11:30 AM. Registration via YouTooCanRun, closes December 31. Watch for the 2027 edition.
High-altitude road ultra by KaysFIT Academy (Coach Kay) through the scenic Nilgiri hills. Challenging terrain and steep gradients — a favourite for seasoned ultra runners. Watch for the 2027 edition.
📍 Fern Hill, OotyCompleted
Fern Hill Ultra 2026
22 March 2026 · Fern Hill, Ooty, Nilgiris
60K75K90KTrail
Stunning mountain ultra through Nilgiri hills with three distances (60K, 75K, 90K). Tamil Nadu’s most challenging trail event. Watch for the 2027 edition.
📍 ChennaiCompleted
Chennai RiseUp Digital Detox Marathon 2026
24 May 2026 · Decathlon Mogappair, Nolambur, Chennai
10K5K
“Put the phone down” themed community run at Decathlon Mogappair. Beginner-friendly, digital wellness message. Watch for the next edition.
🏙️ Tamil Nadu Running Cities — Quick Guide
Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s running capital. Home to Chennai Runners (50,000+ members), Dream Runners, and multiple large annual races. Best routes: Marina Beach, ECR Road, Besant Nagar, Island Grounds. Best season: Nov–Feb.
Coimbatore
South India’s fastest growing running hub. The Kovai Elites Marathon and Coimbatore Marathon draw competitive runners across distances. Pleasant weather and an enthusiastic local community year-round.
Madurai
The temple city is building its running community steadily. Green Madurai Marathon leads the charge. Best weather Nov–Jan. Routes around Vaigai River and main boulevards are popular.
Salem & Western TN
Mettur, Erode, Tirupur, and Kangayam are all producing organised running events. Strong community turnout at district-level races makes this region one to watch in coming years.
Thanjavur & Delta Districts
Known more for culture than running, Thanjavur is seeing growth in kids’ races and community runs. Trichy and surrounding towns are emerging new running hotspots.
Nilgiris (Ooty / Fern Hill)
Tamil Nadu’s premier trail ultra destination. The Fern Hill Ultra (60K–90K) and Ooty Ultra (15K–50K) put the Nilgiris on the ultra running map. High altitude, cool weather, and stunning trails for serious long-distance runners.
❓ Tamil Nadu Marathon FAQs
Which is the biggest marathon in Tamil Nadu?
The Freshworks Chennai Marathon (formerly Wipro Chennai Marathon) is Tamil Nadu’s largest race, attracting 20,000+ runners across full marathon, half marathon, and 10K categories. Organised annually in January by Chennai Runners, it is also an Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group qualifier — the only such event in South India. The next biggest is the Hexaware Dream Runners Half Marathon in July, which draws around 7,000 participants.
Are there full marathons (42.195 km) in Tamil Nadu?
Yes. Tamil Nadu’s confirmed full marathons include the Freshworks Chennai Marathon (January, Chennai), the Kovai Elites Marathon (February, Coimbatore), and the Auroville Marathon (February, near Puducherry). The Wipro Chennai Marathon in late 2026 also offers a full marathon distance. Most other Tamil Nadu races offer half marathon, 10K, and 5K categories.
When is the best time to run a race in Tamil Nadu?
December to February is Tamil Nadu’s ideal racing season. Temperatures across Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai are cooler (18–26°C) and humidity is lower. The monsoon (October–November) makes road races difficult, and summer months (March–June) bring intense heat and humidity — particularly in coastal Chennai. The Ooty and Nilgiris region is an exception: pleasantly cool year-round, making it suitable for ultras even in March.
Are there beginner-friendly races in Tamil Nadu?
Yes — most Tamil Nadu races offer 5K and 10K categories suitable for beginners. The Father’s Day Marathon Chennai, Chennai RiseUp events, and Namma Bessy Mile Run are explicitly designed as first-time runner experiences. The Hexaware Dream Runners Half Marathon even provides free structured training across 14 city chapters for months before race day, making it the most supported first half marathon experience in Tamil Nadu.
Are there trail and ultra marathons in Tamil Nadu?
Yes — the Nilgiris hills around Ooty are Tamil Nadu’s trail ultra hub. The Fern Hill Ultra offers 60K, 75K and 90K distances through mountain terrain, while the Ooty Ultra (by KaysFIT / Coach Kay) covers 15K, 30K and 50K through high-altitude roads. On the road ultra side, the Chennai Ultra 50K runs in September. The Jamunamarathur Ultra (50K trail) in the Jawadhu Hills is scheduled for October 31, 2026.
Are there kids and family runs in Tamil Nadu?
Yes. The Kids Marathon Thanjavur (February) is a dedicated children’s race. The Father’s Day Marathon Chennai includes a Family Run category. The Chennai Kids Dream Run is planned for 2026. Most large Tamil Nadu races — including Freshworks Chennai Marathon — also include a fun run or short category open to children accompanied by adults.
Where do I register for Tamil Nadu running events?
The main registration platforms used by Tamil Nadu race organisers are MyRaceIndia (Dream Runners HM), Townscript (community runs), AthleticApp, and the official organiser websites (Chennai Runners, Procam, NEB Sports). For smaller and community races, check the organiser’s Facebook page or Instagram — many Tamil Nadu community runs post registration links exclusively on social media before they appear on aggregator sites.
What is the Auroville Marathon and what makes it unique?
The Auroville Marathon is held every second Sunday of February through the traffic-free, red-earth forest trails of Auroville township near Puducherry. What makes it unique: no timing chips, no prize money, no t-shirts — it is run purely for the joy of running. Organised by the Auroville Foundation since 2008, it draws international runners and offers 42K, 21K and 10K distances. Registration is via YouTooCanRun and closes December 31 each year.
⚠️ Important: Race schedules in Tamil Nadu can change, especially for smaller community events. Always verify dates, routes, and registration details on the official organiser website or platforms like Townscript, AthleticApp, and MyRaceIndia before signing up. This page is updated monthly — last updated June 2026.
