Registration for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 has not opened yet. The race is confirmed for 18 October 2026 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. Based on past editions, general registration typically opens in mid-to-late July 2026. Drop your email below to get notified the moment slots go live.
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is one of India’s most prestigious running events — a World Athletics Gold Label race, the same global standard as the Tokyo and Berlin Marathons. The 2026 edition is confirmed for Sunday, 18 October 2026, starting and finishing at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
Race categories include the Half Marathon (21.1 km), Open 10K, Great Delhi Run (5K), and Senior Citizens Run. Over 30,000 runners participate annually, making it the most competitive half marathon on Indian soil.
I’ve been running in Delhi for over 10 years — from early morning loops at Lodhi Garden to long training runs through Defence Colony — and VDHM is the one race on the Delhi calendar that genuinely feels like a world-class event. The flat, fast course past India Gate, the elite field, and the roar of the crowd at the finish make it unlike anything else in Indian running.
This complete guide covers everything you need: the confirmed 2026 date, when registration opens, entry fees, the course route, cut-off timings, and training tips specific to Delhi’s October conditions.
📋 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 — Quick Facts
Race Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
Organiser: Procam International
Race Label: World Athletics Gold Label
Categories: Half Marathon · Open 10K · 5K Great Delhi Run · Senior Citizens Run
Registration Opens: Expected mid-to-late July 2026
12 October 2025 · Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi · World Athletics Gold Label
20th Edition
Elite race winners
🏆 Men’s winner
Alex Nzioka Matata
Kenya
59:50
🏆 Women’s winner
Lilian Kasait Rengeruk
Kenya
1:07:20
Top Indian finishers
🏴 Indian men
Abhishek Pal
1:04:17
🏴 Indian women
Seema
1:11:23
Notable: Matata, who finished runner-up in 2024, ran a tactically flawless race to claim his maiden Delhi title. Rengeruk edged out her Ethiopian rivals despite humid conditions — she had also won the TCS World 10K Bengaluru earlier in the year. It was only the second time in the event’s 20-year history that Kenya swept both elite titles in the same edition, the first being Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkurui in 2006.
Next edition · Date confirmedVedanta Delhi Half Marathon 202618 October 2026 · Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi · Registration expected July–Sep 2026
📅 Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
📍 Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
🏆 Status: World Athletics Gold Label — India’s most prestigious half marathon
🏃 Categories: Half Marathon (21.1 km) · Open 10K · Great Delhi Run (5K) · Senior Citizens Run
👥 Field size: 30,000+ runners
🎟️ Registration: Opening June–July 2026 — slots sell out fast
⚠️ Half Marathon entry: Qualifying standard required — sub 3:30 half or equivalent
🌐 Organiser: Procam International · Official website →
Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 date and registration
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 is confirmed for 18 October 2026. Based on Procam’s usual timeline and official communication from the organisers, registration is expected to open in June–July 2026 — earlier than the July–August window seen in previous years.
Half Marathon and 10K slots sell out within days of opening. Do not wait for a reminder. Register at the official website the moment the window opens.
Important: The Half Marathon category has a confirmation qualifying standard. See the qualifying criteria section below before you register.
📋 Official — VDHM 2026
Half Marathon Qualifying Criteria
To confirm your entry into the Half Marathon (21.097 km) category, you must have completed one of the following races within the required finish time. A valid timing certificate is mandatory. Qualifying race must have been conducted on or after October 1, 2024.
Qualifying Distance
Required Finish Time
Marathon (42.195 km)
07:18:00 or faster
25 km
04:11:00 or faster
Half Marathon (21.097 km)
03:30:00 or faster
10 km
01:35:00 or faster
Note: A valid timing certificate reflecting the above finish times is mandatory. The qualifying race must have been conducted on or after October 1, 2024. Verify current criteria at the official Procam website before registering.
Expected entry fees
Category
Estimated Fee
Ideal For
Half Marathon
₹2000 – ₹3500
Intermediate and competitive runners
Open 10K
₹1500 – ₹2500
Beginner to intermediate runners
Great Delhi Run
₹800 – ₹1500
First-time and casual runners
Delhi Half Marathon route and course highlights
The Delhi Half Marathon route runs through some of the most iconic parts of the capital city.
Wide and well-maintained roads
Key landmarks across New Delhi
Strong crowd support in multiple sections
Professionally managed hydration and aid stations
The course is relatively flat and fast, making it ideal for runners aiming for personal best timings.
Illustrative route map for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Route details are indicative and may vary. Please refer to the official race website for the exact course map.
What is the cut-off time for the Delhi Half Marathon?
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon enforces strict gun-time cut-offs across all categories. Runners who miss the cut-off at any point on the course will be directed off the route.
Category
Cut-off Time
Notes
Half Marathon (21.1 km)
3 hours
Gun time — strictly enforced
Open 10K
1 hour 30 mins
Gun time
Great Delhi Run (5K)
Relaxed
No strict cut-off — participation focused
Senior Citizens Run
Relaxed
Separate wave, relaxed timing
What is the Delhi Half Marathon race day experience like?
October in Delhi is one of the best weather windows for running in North India — temperatures at race start typically sit between 15°C and 22°C, cool enough for a fast race and well past the monsoon humidity. The course runs through the heart of the capital, past India Gate and Connaught Place, with wide boulevards that accommodate both runners and the dense crowd support that lines the route.
Procam International’s race management is widely regarded as the best in India — corrals are well-organised, aid stations are frequent and well-stocked, and the finish area at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is efficiently managed. For most Indian runners, this is the benchmark for how a major road race should feel.
How should I train for the Delhi Half Marathon 2026?
An 18 October race date means your training window opens now. A 12–16 week plan starting in late June or early July 2026 gives you a full build with proper taper time. Key training elements for this specific race:
Tempo runs — the flat Delhi course rewards sustained pace; practice goal-pace running over 8–12 km blocks
Long runs — build to 18–22 km at easy effort; one or two race-simulation long runs at goal pace in the final 6 weeks
Speed sessions — one interval session per week (400m or 1K repeats) builds the top-end fitness needed for a half marathon PR
Train in early mornings — Delhi summer and early monsoon heat is brutal; all sessions from June–August should be before 7 AM
Qualifying standard prep — if you are targeting the half marathon category, ensure you have a qualifying race (sub 3:30 half or equivalent) completed before registration closes
Who should run the Delhi Half Marathon?
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon serves four distinct runner profiles across its categories:
PR Hunters
Flat course + cool October conditions = ideal for half marathon personal bests
Competitive Runners
Elite field, Gold Label status, and wave corrals make this the most competitive half marathon in India
Beginners
The 5K Great Delhi Run and Open 10K have no qualifying standard — open to all fitness levels
Delhi NCR Runners
Your home Major — no visa, no flights, no hotel. The one race every Delhi runner should do at least once
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 is confirmed for Sunday, 18 October 2026, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. It is a World Athletics Gold Label race organised by Procam International.
When does VDHM 2026 registration open?
Registration for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 is expected to open in June–July 2026 on the official Procam website. Half Marathon and 10K slots sell out within days — register as soon as the window opens.
What is the qualifying time for the Delhi Half Marathon?
The Half Marathon (21.097 km) category requires a qualifying time from a certified race held on or after October 1, 2024: sub 3:30:00 for a half marathon, sub 7:18:00 for a full marathon, sub 4:11:00 for 25K, or sub 1:35:00 for 10K. The 10K, 5K and Senior Citizens Run categories do not have qualifying standards.
What is the entry fee for the Delhi Half Marathon?
Entry fees typically range from ₹800 to ₹3,500 depending on the category and registration timing. Early registrations are usually cheaper. Verify current fees at the official Procam website when registration opens.
Is the Delhi Half Marathon beginner friendly?
The Great Delhi Run (5K) and Open 10K categories are open to all fitness levels with no qualifying standard — ideal for beginners. The Half Marathon requires a qualifying time certificate. The course is largely flat, making it one of India’s fastest half marathon routes for those who qualify.
Is the Delhi Half Marathon a fast course?
Yes — the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon course is largely flat, running through central New Delhi past India Gate and Connaught Place. October conditions (typically 15°C–22°C at race start) make it one of India’s best courses for a personal best in the half marathon distance.
Final thoughts
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon stands out as one of the most professionally organised and competitive races in India. With global recognition, a fast course, and strong participation, it offers a world-class running experience.
If you are planning your race calendar, this is one event worth adding — whether you are chasing speed, consistency, or your first major milestone.
Anurag Rana is a Delhi-based marathon runner and founder of FatMarathoner.com — India’s one-stop guide for running, health, and fitness. He personally tests electrolytes, gear, and running shoes on Delhi’s roads and pavements, and writes for everyday Indian runners gearing up for their next race.
