Quick answer: The Chandigarh Marathon 2026 (2nd edition, “Chandigarh Marathon & Wellness”) is on Sunday, 11 October 2026 from 5:00 AM at the Capitol Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh. Categories: Half Marathon (21.1K), 10KM Timed Run, 5KM Timed Run, 5KM Fun Run, Fun Run 3KM, Walkathon and Spectator, with fees from ₹299 and a 10% early-bird discount until 7 October 2026. Registration closes on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon), and your BIB and kit are collected at the BIB Expo on Saturday, 10 October. Register on CityWoofer.
After a successful maiden edition that drew 1,400+ runners in 2025, the Chandigarh Marathon returns for its second edition — billed as India’s first carbon-neutral city marathon, and it runs under the tagline “Run for a sustainable life.” Here is everything you need to know about the Chandigarh Marathon 2026: date, venue, race categories, fees, the BIB Expo, sustainability and how to register.
A week before this race, Chandigarh hosts another one: the Air Force’s Sekhon IAF Marathon on Sunday, 4 October, in Sector 1. It is a separate event with its own registration; it is not part of the Chandigarh Marathon & Wellness, and we cover it here for information only.
Chandigarh Marathon 2026 — Key Details
| Event | Chandigarh Marathon & Wellness 2026 (2nd edition) |
| Date | Sunday, 11 October 2026 |
| Start time | 5:00 AM (event runs 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM) |
| Venue | Capitol Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh (160001) |
| Registration closes | Wednesday, 7 October 2026, 12:00 PM (noon) |
| Early-bird offer | 10% off all categories until 7 October 2026 |
| BIB Expo (kit collection) | Saturday, 10 October 2026, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; venue to be announced soon. No BIB collection on race day. |
| Categories | Half Marathon 21.1K, 10KM Timed Run, 5KM Timed Run, 5KM Fun Run, Fun Run 3KM, Walkathon, Spectator |
| Theme | “Run for a sustainable life” — wellness & sustainability; billed as India’s first carbon-neutral city marathon |
| Organiser | The Chandigarh Life (CHDLIFE) |
Race Categories & Fees (2026)
| Category | Distance | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Half Marathon | 21.1 km | ₹1,899 |
| 10KM Timed Run | 10 km | ₹1,499 |
| 5KM Timed Run | 5 km | ₹999 |
| 5KM Fun Run | 5 km | ₹899 |
| Fun Run 3KM | 3 km | ₹699 |
| Walkathon (min 1 KM) | Min. 1 km (choose your own distance) | ₹599 |
| Spectator (non-race entry) | N/A | ₹299 |
Fees shown are list prices per participant. A 10% early-bird discount applies to every category until registration closes on 7 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon): CityWoofer shows the reduced price on its ticket page, and on AllEvents you can use the code EARLYBIRD10. Check CityWoofer for the latest pricing.
What’s in the Race Kit
- Active Dry T-shirt
- Finisher medal
- Race BIB (timed for the Half Marathon, 10KM Timed Run and 5KM Timed Run)
- Race kit and carry bag, with other items if any (collected at the BIB Expo)
- Breakfast on race day (11 October only)
- On-route refreshment stations
- E-certificate of participation
- Wellness activities at the venue
- Event photos and videos
BIB Expo 2026: Dates, Time, Venue and Why You Need to Go
What is a BIB Expo? A BIB Expo is the kit-collection event held before race day. Registered participants come to collect their race BIB (the race number you wear on race day) and their race kit, and to pick up information for race morning. At the Chandigarh Marathon 2026 you collect your BIB, T-shirt, race kit and carry bag, and any other items at the BIB Expo.
Why is it necessary? Your BIB and kit are handed out at the expo, and the organisers have confirmed that there is no BIB collection on race day, so every registered participant needs to plan a visit. Your BIB is your race identity: it carries your race number, and in the timed categories (Half Marathon, 10KM Timed Run and 5KM Timed Run) it is used for timing. Collecting a day early also keeps race morning free for warming up and reaching the Capitol Complex before the 5:00 AM flag-off.
| Date | Saturday, 10 October 2026 (one day only) |
| Time | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Venue | To be announced soon. This page will be updated as soon as it is confirmed. |
| What you collect | BIB, T-shirt, race kit and carry bag, and other items if any |
| Race-day collection | Not available |
| Spectator entries | Spectator (non-race) entries do not include a race BIB |
| Breakfast | Included on race day (11 October) only, not at the expo |
| Questions | event@sogrow.in or +91 9888600172 |
Before you go: carry your registration confirmation and a photo ID as a precaution, and ask the organisers first if someone else needs to collect your kit on your behalf. The organisers will confirm exactly what to bring when the venue is announced.
How to Register for Chandigarh Marathon 2026
Registration is open online on CityWoofer — choose your category, fill in your details and pay securely. Registration closes on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon).
You can also register on AllEvents. Follow @chandigarh.marathon on Instagram for route, expo and bib-collection updates.
Sustainability at the Chandigarh Marathon 2026
The 2026 edition runs under the tagline “Run for a sustainable life,” and the organisers describe it as a sustainable, carbon-neutral city marathon — billed as India’s first carbon-neutral city marathon. This section keeps to what you can check for yourself: what carbon-neutral means, why Chandigarh is a strong setting for a low-impact event, and what runners can do on the day. The organisers’ event-specific measures will be added here as they are confirmed.
What does “carbon-neutral” mean for a race?
Carbon neutrality means balancing the greenhouse gases an activity causes with an equal amount removed or offset. As summarised in Wikipedia: Carbon neutrality, credible approaches reduce emissions as far as possible first and offset only what remains, international standards such as ISO 14068 exist for carbon-neutrality claims, and critics warn that offsets can amount to greenwashing when claims are not verified. For a race, that means looking for a measured footprint (travel, energy, materials and waste), real reductions, and verified offsets for the rest.
Why Chandigarh suits a low-impact race
| Topic | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start and finish | The Capitol Complex is part of Le Corbusier’s 17-building UNESCO World Heritage listing (inscribed 2016, across 7 countries) and covers about 100 hectares in Sector 1. See our Capitol Complex guide. | Wikipedia: The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier; Wikipedia: Capitol Complex, Chandigarh |
| Climate-responsive design | Sun-shading brise-soleil screens, double-skinned roofs, and reflecting pools that help with cooling and rainwater catchment. | Wikipedia: Capitol Complex, Chandigarh |
| Waste into art | The Rock Garden features sculptures made from discarded waste materials. | Wikipedia: Chandigarh |
| Green spaces | The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden holds about 825 rose varieties. Sukhna Lake (3 km², created in 1958) is a protected national wetland, and 25.42 km² of its catchment was put under vegetation to reduce silt. See our Sukhna Lake guide. | Wikipedia: Chandigarh; Wikipedia: Sukhna Lake |
| City scale | About 114 km² with 1,055,450 residents (2011). | Wikipedia: Chandigarh |
| October race-morning climate | On average, a daily high of 32.0°C and a low of 18.4°C, with about 14 mm of rain in the month. | Wikipedia: Chandigarh |
Figures are summarised from the linked Wikipedia articles as read on 21 September 2026.
How runners can make race day greener
- Travel together. Carpool, use public transport or cycle to the Capitol Complex and the BIB Expo instead of driving alone.
- Bring a reusable bottle for the hours before and after the run, and use the hydration and refreshment points during the race.
- Skip single-use plastic for your own snacks, gear bags and cutlery.
- Keep waste off the route. Hold on to it until you find a bin.
- Reuse your kit. Wear the event T-shirt again and keep the carry bag for later.
- Keep your confirmation on your phone instead of printing it.
These are suggestions for participants, not event rules.
The Route
The marathon starts and finishes at the iconic Capitol Complex on a scenic, largely flat and fully-paved course through some of Chandigarh’s most beautiful stretches — past Leisure Valley, the Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake and the Sector 17 plaza. Exact category routes are confirmed by the organiser closer to race day; the final route maps will be shared then.
Looking Back: The 2025 Maiden Edition
The first Chandigarh Marathon, held on 23 November 2025 at the Capitol Complex under the theme “Run for a Better Tomorrow,” brought together 1,400+ runners across the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 3K and Walkathon. The strong debut — with families, first-timers and seasoned runners alike — set the stage for a bigger, greener second edition in 2026.
Why Run the Chandigarh Marathon?
- India’s first carbon-neutral city marathon — run for fitness and the planet.
- Run through the heart of The City Beautiful, finishing at the UNESCO-listed Capitol Complex.
- Categories for everyone — from a 3K fun run and walkathon to a timed half marathon.
- Finisher medal, timing certificate, refreshments and on-ground wellness activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chandigarh Marathon 2026?
The Chandigarh Marathon 2026 (2nd edition) is on Sunday, 11 October 2026, starting at 5:00 AM from the Capitol Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh.
What are the race categories and fees?
Half Marathon 21.1K, 10KM Timed Run, 5KM Timed Run, 5KM Fun Run, Fun Run 3KM, Walkathon and Spectator, with fees from Rs 299 (Spectator) up to Rs 1,899 (Half Marathon). A 10% early-bird discount applies to all categories until 7 October 2026.
Where do I register for the Chandigarh Marathon?
Register online via CityWoofer (primary) or on AllEvents. Registration closes on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon).
Where is the Chandigarh Marathon held?
At the Capitol Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh, which is both the start and finish point.
How many people ran the first edition?
The maiden 2025 edition, held on 23 November 2025, drew more than 1,400 runners.
When does registration close for the Chandigarh Marathon 2026?
Registration closes on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon). The 10% early-bird discount on all categories is valid until then.
Where and when do I collect my BIB and race kit?
At the BIB Expo on Saturday, 10 October 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (venue to be announced soon). The BIB, T-shirt, race kit and carry bag, and any other items are collected there; there is no BIB collection on race day.
Is breakfast included with the registration?
Yes. Breakfast is included on race day only (Sunday, 11 October 2026).
What is a BIB Expo and why do I have to go?
A BIB Expo is the kit-collection event held before race day. Registered participants collect their race BIB (race number), T-shirt, race kit and carry bag there. It is necessary because the organisers do not hand out BIBs on race day. The Chandigarh Marathon 2026 BIB Expo is on Saturday, 10 October 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; the venue will be announced soon.
Is the Chandigarh Marathon 2026 a sustainable event?
Sustainability is the theme of the 2026 edition, which runs under the tagline “Run for a sustainable life” and is billed as India’s first carbon-neutral city marathon. The organisers’ specific measures will be added to this page as they are confirmed. Runners can help by travelling together, using reusable bottles, avoiding single-use plastic and keeping waste off the route.
What is the weather like in Chandigarh in October?
On average, October days reach about 32°C and nights fall to about 18°C, with little rain (about 14 mm for the month), according to climate data summarised on Wikipedia. The 5:00 AM flag-off is well before the daytime high.
