Hyderabad, August 28, 2026 A Technical Briefing to Elite runners both International and Indian runners who will be participating in the 15th Edition of NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2026 Powered by IDFC First Bank held at Hotel Park Hyatt on Friday evening.
Mr. Sunpreet Singh, Jt Commissioner of Police(Traffic) for the Cyberbad Commissionerate and Mr. G. Hanumantha Rao, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl. DCP) for Traffic-I in the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sunpreet Singh said, 50% of the route of the Marathon falls into Cyberabad Police Commissionerate jurisdiction. We will be deploying 700 police and 250 traffic marshals. We have also advised Taxi Aggregators about the event and traffic diversion. We will make foolpoorf arrangements as this event will boost the global image of the Hyderabad city he added.
The Race Technical Briefing was done by Mr. Ulf Saletti, World Athlete Representative, Mr. Gudiboina Jagan Athletic Federation of India(AFI) Representative and Mr. Rajesh Vetcha, Race Director, NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2026.
World Athletics governs international competitions in sports such as 100m, 200m, 400m, middle- and long-distance running, Marathon and road races etc
AFI is responsible for governing and promoting athletics in India, covering events such as Track running (100m, 200m, 400m, middle and long distance), Marathon, and road running.
Details such as number Elite Runners , World Athletics Rules, Doping Control, Route Details, Aid Stations, Facilities, competition bibs, shoes, competition rules and other race-relevant details were shared
The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2026 is a World Athletics Label Road Race. This means the event meets specified standards relating to Course, Race organisation, Timing & results, Athlete experience and international recognition—the race becomes part of the World Athletics global road-race calendar.
A total of 45 elite runners—including 10 international and 35 Indian are participating in the Marathon. The prize money for the competition shared.
The prize money for the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2026 will be awarded across the top six positions. The 1st-place winner will receive ₹3,00,000 (US$6,000), while the 2nd-place winner will receive ₹2,50,000 (US$3,000) and the 3rd-place winner will receive ₹2,00,000 (US$2,000). The 4th, 5th and 6th positions will receive ₹1,50,000, ₹1,00,000 and ₹75,000, respectively. In addition, a Course Record bonus of ₹1,50,000 (US$1,750) will be awarded to an elite-category male or female runner who sets a new course record, while an Indian National Record bonus of ₹5,00,000 will be awarded to eligible Indian runners who set a national record.
Competition shoes must be in accordance with the Worth Athletics rule 5. Spot checks could be made and wearing unauthorized shoes will result in disqualification, they were told.
Doping tests will be conducted among the top finishers in the male and female divisions. The athletes will be chosen at random by the World Athletics Technical delegates, it was informed.
The Marathon will have 9 (nine) elite-specific aid stations. Apart from these there will be 12 water and sports drink-only aid stations. It is forbidden to receive drinks on any other part of the course, the elites were told.
16 Ambulances and 12 Bike ambulances will be put into service.
The event is being organised by Hyderabad Runners Society for the public good with the support of the well over 700 volunteers. With this marathon, the Indian Marathon season begins. The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2026 powered by IDFC First Bank will have more than 32000 participating. The event’s mission is to promote active lifestyles amongst the public and make running the preferred form of fitness activity.
Hence, the police extend their fullest cooperation. He urged people to come out in large numbers, cheer and encourage participants. He said the Police will also issue a public advisory on the traffic restrictions.
NMDC Hyderabad Marathon powered by IDFC First Bank is a certified “World Athletic Label race” for 2026 and is organized in accordance with the World Athletics competition rules and technical rules informed Rajesh Vetcha, Race Director.
On Saturday day the 5K Run and Inclusive Run will be held at HITEX Exhibition Centre. First Wheel Chair and Inclusive Runners will be flagged off at 6.45am, then NGOs and Charities at 6.50am and 5am the regular 5K runners.
The Inclusive Run is organised in association with the Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation (ABBF), is a new initiative at the 15th NMDC Hyderabad Marathon that promotes inclusive participation in distance running. With over 300 participants with disabilities registered this year, the initiative reinforces the belief that running has no barriers and that everyone deserves an opportunity to experience the joy of sport.
NMDC Hyderabad Marathon is now officially SheRACESaccredited — recognising our commitment to safer spaces, equal opportunity, better support, and an inclusive race experience for women runners. Because every pace belongs here. Every story matters here. Every runner deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
The main event is on 30th August 2026. Full Marathon will be flagged off at 4:30 a.m., Half Marathon and 5:30 a.m. (from People Plaza, Necklace Road) and 10K Run at 7.00 a.m. from Hitex, Madhapur.
