Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 Results: Matata Breaks Course Record, Alemu Wins Women’s Title

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026: Event Details at a Glance

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 was the 21st edition of India’s biggest road race, and it took place on Sunday, 18 October 2026. The World Athletics Gold Label race started and finished at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Kenya’s Charles Matata won the men’s elite race in a new course record of 58:52, and Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu won the women’s title in 1:06:35. Here is everything you need to know about the event and its results.

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 Results and Winners List

Charles Matata of Kenya ran 58:52 to win the men’s elite race and lower the course record by one second. The previous mark of 58:53 was set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020. It was also a personal best for the 29-year-old, who had finished second in Delhi in 2023, and he ran it in humid conditions of around 90 per cent humidity and a temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius. His twin brother Alex won the 2025 race. Kenyans took all three places on the men’s podium, with Samwel Nyamai Mailu second in 59:24 and Stanley Waithaka Mburu third in 59:33.

In the women’s elite race, 19-year-old Wudinesh Alemu of Ethiopia won in 1:06:35, with Kenya’s Selah Businei (1:07:01) and Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony (1:07:32) behind her. Among Indian runners, debutant Shailesh Kushwaha won the men’s Indian elite race in 1:05:05, and Ankita Dhyani won the women’s Indian elite race in 1:12:46, which was her first title at the Delhi Half Marathon.

These times were announced on race day and are provisional. The final confirmed results will be published by the organisers.

Why the Delhi Half Marathon Matters

Every October, before Delhi has properly woken up, the roads around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium fill with people in running shoes. Some are chasing a sub-60-minute half marathon. Many more are chasing something quieter: a first finisher’s medal, a promise made to themselves, or a cause they run for.

That mix is exactly what makes the Delhi Half Marathon special. It is a serious elite race and a huge public celebration at the same time. Roughly 40,000 people take part across its different categories, and the flat, fast course has made it one of the most respected half marathons in the world.

A Short History of the Delhi Half Marathon

The race began in 2005 with prize money of US$310,000, an ambitious start for an Indian road race. Hutchison Essar sponsored the first two editions, and Vodafone Essar took over in 2007 after a corporate takeover. From 2008 to 2020, the event ran as the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, the name most long-time runners still remember. Vedanta signed on as title sponsor in 2022, and its agreement runs until 2027.

The venue has mostly stayed the same. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been the home of the start and finish, except during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, when the race temporarily moved to the Secretariat Building grounds because the stadium was being renovated. The 2020 edition was affected by COVID-19, and there was no 2021 edition, but the race returned in 2022 and has grown since.

Records and Champions That Made the Course Famous

The course is largely flat, and that is why the times here are so quick. On 18 October 2026, Charles Matata lowered the men’s course record to 58:52, beating the 58:53 that Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn set in 2020. The women’s course record of 1:04:46, set by Yalemzerf Yehualaw in the same year, was not broken in 2026.

Some of the sport’s biggest names have won here. Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon great, took the men’s title in 2016 in 59:44. Almaz Ayana won in 2017, and Tsehay Gemechu won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei won in 2024 in 59:46.

The 2025 edition was won by Kenya’s Alex Matata in 59:50, the twin brother of this year’s winner, while Lilian Rengeruk won the women’s race in 1:07:20.

Indian Runners Who Made Their Mark in Delhi

The Delhi Half Marathon is also a race where Indian athletes have written their own chapters. In the 2020 edition, steeplechase star Avinash Sable clocked 1:00:30 in the half marathon, which was a national record at the time. His mark is still the Indian elite men’s best at this race after the 2026 edition. It showed that a runner known for the steeplechase could also stand among India’s best over 21 kilometres on this very course.

Uttarakhand’s long-distance runners have made their mark in Delhi as well. Hill runner Bhagirathi Bisht won the women’s title at the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon 2025 in a personal-best 2:48:59, and later won the women’s 21 km race at the USF Half Marathon Pauri on 24 May 2026. At the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026, she finished third in the Indian elite women’s race in 1:15:51. For runners from the hills, a big city half marathon like this one is often the next step on the road.

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 Elite Field and Prize Money

Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese, a former Delhi winner, and Kenya’s Irine Cheptai, who won in 2022, were among the headline names in the 2026 elite lineups, but neither finished on the podium. Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Wudinesh Alemu won the women’s elite race in 1:06:35, and Kenya’s Charles Matata won the men’s race in a new course record of 58:52. The men’s field was especially deep, with several runners who had personal bests under 60 minutes.

The total prize purse was USD 275,732. In the elite race, first place was worth USD 27,000 for both men and women, and prize money went down to 10th place. Matata also earned an extra USD 12,000 for breaking the event record. In the Indian elite men’s and women’s races, the top three finishers received ₹3,50,000, ₹2,50,000 and ₹1,50,000 respectively.

Race Categories at the Delhi Half Marathon

One of the best things about this event is that it is not only for elite athletes. There is a category for almost everyone:

• Half Marathon (21.097 km): the headline race for elite and timed amateur runners. Participants must be 18 or older.
• Open 10K: a popular distance for runners who want a serious challenge without the full half.
• Great Delhi Run: a short fun run that draws the largest crowd of families, colleagues, and first-timers.
• Senior Citizens’ Run: a special category for runners aged 60 and above.
• Champions with Disability: a dedicated race that celebrates para athletes.

On race day, the elite men’s race was flagged off at 5:18 am and the elite women’s race at 5:20 am. They were followed by the Half Marathon and Police Cup at 5:30 am, the Champions with Disability and Senior Citizens’ Run at 6:30 am, the Open 10K at 7:35 am, the Corporate Run at 9:00 am and the Great Delhi Run at 9:05 am.

Registration, Entry Fee and Eligibility for 2026

The 2026 race has now been held, so registrations for this edition are closed. Keep an eye on the official Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon website for the registration dates of the next edition.

Registrations for the 2026 edition opened on 23 July 2026 for both physical and virtual categories. The half marathon entry fee for India was ₹3,200 including GST, and USD 60 for overseas runners. Runners needed a timing certificate showing a half marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes or faster, from an event held on or after 1 October 2024. Certificates for 10K, 25K and the marathon were also accepted.

The half marathon category filled up before race day, and a few reserved places were offered separately, such as the Good for Silver category for runners aged 65 and above, charity places, and the concierge package.

If you missed out this year, the sensible plan is to run a timed race in the coming months and keep that certificate ready for the next registration window. Plenty of timed races are coming up close to Delhi too. Our upcoming marathon in Delhi NCR calendar lists races such as the Hindustan Marathon 12th Edition on 25 October 2026 and the India Republic Half Marathon on 17 January 2027, along with dates, fees and registration deadlines.

Expo, Bib Collection and Race Day Perks

Confirmed runners collected their bibs at the PLAYSCAPE expo from 15 to 17 October 2026. Delhi-NCR runners were asked to pick a slot on 15 or 16 October, while outstation runners could collect on 17 October.

The organisers also planned a few thoughtful touches for this year:

• Free Delhi Metro travel for all registered participants on race day, which is a big help with early-morning transport.
• An exclusive PUMA race day T-shirt for half marathon and Open 10K participants.
• Finisher medals made using zinc from Hindustan Zinc’s Zawar Mines in Rajasthan.

The Course: What to Expect on the Road

The course starts and finishes at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and it is known for being flat and quick. For the 2026 race, the organisers announced a revised route two days before race day. Runners did not pass through Rail Bhawan, Sansad Marg and Patel Chowk, which had been part of the traditional route in previous editions, because of heavy police barricading around those landmarks. Running through the heart of the capital in the early morning light is a big part of why people call this one of India’s most beautiful races.

The official course map for the next edition will be published by the organisers, so check their site for the final route and road closures.

Tips for Runners Preparing for the Next Delhi Half Marathon

• Plan your travel early. Roads around the stadium close for the race, so registered runners can use free Metro travel and should arrive well before their start wave.
• Keep race week light. Do not try anything new. Stick to food, shoes, and gear you have already tested in training.
• Be ready for humidity. This year’s race was run in around 90 per cent humidity, so practise your hydration plan on long runs.
• Start in your assigned wave. Timed runners must start in their allotted wave and cross the start line within the allowed window to be timed.
• Run your own race. The first few kilometres are crowded and exciting. Settle into a comfortable pace and save your effort for the second half.

More Than a Race: The Impact Behind the Run

The Delhi Half Marathon also has a serious community side. In 2026, runners took part in the #RunForZeroHunger campaign, where every kilometre completed contributed a meal. Participants contributed 50 lakh meals this year, which took the campaign’s total to more than 2.7 crore meals across five editions and marked five years of Vedanta’s association with the race.

Organisers also reported a socio-economic impact of ₹433.88 crore from the 2025 edition, with 9,709 women taking part, about a quarter of the field. Charity bibs, the Senior Citizens’ Run and the para category all show that the event wants to include as many people as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 held?

The 21st edition took place on Sunday, 18 October 2026, starting and finishing at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

Is it the Medanta Delhi Half Marathon or the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon?

The correct name is the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Vedanta is the title sponsor. Many people search for it as “Medanta” by mistake, since Medanta is the name of a well-known hospital group and is not connected to this race.

How long is the Delhi Half Marathon?

The half marathon is 21.097 km. Other categories include the Open 10K, the Great Delhi Run and races for senior citizens and champions with disabilities.

Who won the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026?

Kenya’s Charles Matata won the men’s elite race in 58:52, a new course record, and Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu won the women’s elite race in 1:06:35.

Who won the Indian elite races in 2026?

Shailesh Kushwaha won the men’s Indian elite race in 1:05:05, and Ankita Dhyani won the women’s Indian elite race in 1:12:46.

Can I still register for the 2026 half marathon?

No. The 2026 race was held on 18 October, so registrations for this edition are closed. Check the official website for the next edition.

What was the prize money for the 2026 race?

The total prize purse was USD 275,732, and the elite winners in the men’s and women’s races each received USD 27,000, with an extra USD 12,000 for the event record.

Who holds the Delhi Half Marathon course records?

Charles Matata holds the men’s record of 58:52, set in 2026. Yalemzerf Yehualaw holds the women’s record of 1:04:46, set in 2020.

Final Thoughts

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 delivered everything a great race needs: a new men’s course record, a teenage women’s champion, a proud history and a crowd of around 40,000 runners. Whether you ran, cheered, or followed the results, 18 October 2026 was a big day for Indian running. For the latest race updates, bookmark the official Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon website and read the event’s background on Wikipedia.