If you’ve been searching for the Bengaluru Marathon and finding results about the TCS World 10K — you’re not alone. Bengaluru hosts two major running events and they are frequently confused. This page is about the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon: the full marathon, the half marathon, the 10K and the 5K fun run held every September. The TCS World 10K is a separate race entirely, held in May by a different organiser.
Now that’s settled — let’s get into everything you need to know about the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2026.
At a Glance — Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Edition | 13th |
| Race Date | September 27, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Organiser | NEB Sports |
| Course Type | Out & Back |
| Certification | AIMS-certified |
| Participants | 42,000+ runners |
| Official Website | bengalurumarathon.in |
Race Categories
The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon offers four race distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run 5K.
Full Marathon — 42.195 km The flagship race. Bengaluru’s only AIMS-certified full marathon. Out-and-back course through the city’s iconic roads. Start time to be confirmed for 2026 — the full marathon typically begins the earliest, around 5:00–5:30am.
Half Marathon — 21.1 km The most popular category. Same course start point as the full marathon, out-and-back on the same roads.
10K The middle-distance option. Well-suited for runners building up to half marathon distances or those newer to organised racing in Bengaluru.
Fun Run — 5K The entry-level category. Open to all fitness levels. Children below 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration & Fees
Registration for the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2026 is open. Fees are time-sensitive and increase closer to the race date — early bird pricing is available and worth securing early. Check bengalurumarathon.in for current pricing.
Cancellation & Transfer Policy:
- Refunds or changes are permitted only up to 60 days before the event date, subject to registration being open.
- A processing charge of ₹250 applies for any cancellation of registration. No partial refund is given for downgrading race categories.
- For cancellations due to personal reasons, no refund is issued but transfer to other NEB events is allowed with a ₹250 transfer fee.
- In case of event cancellation by the organiser, a full refund is processed. In case of postponement, registration can be transferred to another person or another NEB event.
- Bibs must be collected in person at the Expo — no race-day bib collection.
The Course — Out & Back Through Bengaluru
The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon runs an out-and-back course through some of Bengaluru’s most recognisable roads. Full 2026 course details are yet to be released — reference details below are from the 2025 edition and the route typically remains consistent year on year.
The course takes runners through tree-lined stretches and iconic city landmarks, threading through the tech capital’s distinct blend of old garden city roads and modern urban arteries. Unlike point-to-point races, the out-and-back format means you pass the same crowds twice — the return leg in particular carries strong crowd energy as faster runners pass those still on the outbound leg.
Bengaluru’s terrain has gentle undulation — it is not a flat city. The elevation changes are manageable but consistent, making it a course where even-pacing discipline is rewarded.
The September timing means Bengaluru’s famous mild weather works in runners’ favour — post-monsoon mornings in Bengaluru are among the most pleasant race conditions of any Indian city marathon.
Wipro vs TCS — The Two Big Bengaluru Races Explained
This is the most googled confusion among Bengaluru runners. Here’s the clear breakdown:
| Wipro Bengaluru Marathon | TCS World 10K Bengaluru | |
|---|---|---|
| Month | September | May |
| Organiser | NEB Sports | Procam International |
| Distances | 42K / 21K / 10K / 5K | 10K only |
| Certification | AIMS | World Athletics Gold Label |
| Full Marathon | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Focus | City marathon | Elite 10K race |
If you want to run a full marathon or half marathon in Bengaluru — the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is the race. If you want to run Bengaluru’s iconic 10K with elite international athletes on the start line — that’s TCS World 10K in May.
Why Run the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon?
The weather. Late September in Bengaluru is post-monsoon — temperatures hover between 18–24°C at race start time. For runners coming from hotter cities like Delhi, Hyderabad or Chennai, this is genuinely luxurious race-day weather.
The city. Bengaluru’s tree canopy and wide roads make for a visually satisfying run. The garden city character is most apparent in the early morning hours when the course is yours.
The scale. 42,000 runners. One city. The race has grown steadily since its 2014 launch into one of South India’s premier running events. Bengalurumarathon
The AIMS certification. The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is one of a small number of AIMS-certified marathons in India. Finish times are internationally recognised — relevant for runners with Boston Qualifier or international race eligibility goals.
Getting to Bengaluru
Bengaluru is well connected by air (Kempegowda International Airport) from all major Indian cities. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune are frequent and competitively priced.
For out-of-town runners, accommodation near the race start area is the priority — confirm the start point for 2026 on the official website and book nearby to avoid long race-morning commutes.
Training for the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon
The post-monsoon September date means your peak training block runs through July and August — the hottest, most humid period in most Indian cities. Plan your training accordingly.
Key pointers:
- If you’re based in a hotter city, your July–August long runs will feel significantly harder than race day will. That’s not a bad thing — heat training builds aerobic capacity.
- The out-and-back course rewards consistent pacing. Train with negative splits — second half faster than first.
- Bengaluru’s mild race-day weather often tempts runners to go out too fast. Stick to your plan regardless.
- Standard training blocks: 16–18 weeks for full marathon; 12–14 weeks for half marathon. Build long runs to 32–34km (full) or 22–24km (half) in peak weeks.
A Brief History
The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon has been held annually since 2014, with the exception of 2020. It has gone through two title sponsors in its history — from Sriram Properties to its current title sponsor Wipro — but the organiser NEB Sports and the AIMS certification have remained consistent throughout. The 2026 edition is the 13th.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is Bengaluru’s flagship annual city marathon, organised by NEB Sports and AIMS-certified since 2014. It offers four race distances — full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10K and 5K fun run — and attracts over 42,000 runners. The 2026 edition is the 13th.
The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
No. These are two completely separate events. The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is organised by NEB Sports in September and includes a full marathon. The TCS World 10K is organised by Procam International in May and is a 10K-only race with World Athletics Gold Label status. If you want to run a full marathon in Bengaluru, the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is the race.
Registration is available through the official website at bengalurumarathon.in. Fees increase closer to the race date — early bird pricing is available. Bibs must be collected in person at the pre-race Expo.
Cancellations are accepted up to 60 days before the event with a ₹250 processing charge. No refunds are issued for cancellations within 60 days due to personal reasons, but registration can be transferred to another NEB Sports event. In case of event cancellation by the organiser, a full refund is processed.
Yes. The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is an AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) certified race, meaning finish times are internationally recognised.
The course is an out-and-back route through Bengaluru’s iconic roads. The terrain has gentle undulation — Bengaluru is not flat — and the September post-monsoon timing means pleasant running temperatures of 18–24°C at start time.
Four distances: Full Marathon (42.2km), Half Marathon (21.1km), 10K and Fun Run (5K). Children below 12 must be accompanied by an adult for the fun run.
