✍️ By Rahul Goyal · Chandigarh Life
Quick answer: The Chandigarh leg of the Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon was held on Sunday, 4 October 2026, from the ground opposite Chandigarh Club in Sector 1; All India Radio reported that the Air Force ran it in several cities that day, Chandigarh among them. It had five races: 21.1K (₹1,499), 10K (₹1,299), 5K (₹999), 3K (₹799) and a free 2K for divyang runners. The details below are kept for reference; for results and the next edition, check the organisers’ Chandigarh website.
The Indian Air Force is organising the run in memory of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, and Chandigarh is one of several cities hosting the race. This page keeps what the organisers published before the race, for reference.
The Chandigarh race at a glance
| Detail | What the organisers say |
|---|---|
| Event | Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon Chandigarh 2026 (SIM 2026 @ CHD) |
| Race day | Sunday, 4 October 2026 |
| Start and finish | Ground Opposite Chandigarh Club, Sector 1, Chandigarh |
| Bib collection | Saturday, 3 October 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM, at the same ground; mandatory |
| Organised by | Indian Air Force |
| Race management | CYRUNS Sports |
| In association with | Fit India |
| Supported by | Lovely Professional University; Life Insurance Corporation of India |
| Timing | Chip timing with live leaderboards |
| Route maps | Not published before the race (“will be updated soon”) |
| Prizes | Not published before the race (“will be updated soon”) |
Who the marathon remembers
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon flew with No. 18 Squadron, the “Flying Bullets”. On 14 December 1971 Pakistani F-86 Sabres attacked the airfield at Srinagar. Sekhon took off while the base was being bombed and, flying a Folland Gnat, took on the raiders alone after his formation leader, Flight Lieutenant Ghumman, lost sight of him just after take-off and stayed out of the fight, according to Wikipedia. His aircraft was shot down and he was killed. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award, and he remains the only member of the Indian Air Force to have received it.
Race categories and fees
| Category | Start | Cut-off | Fee (incl. GST) | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.1K Half Marathon (timed) | 5:30 AM | 3.5 hours | ₹1,499 | 18 years |
| 10K Speed Challenge (timed) | 6:15 AM | 2 hours | ₹1,299 | 16 years |
| 5K Fitness Run | 7:00 AM* | 1.5 hours | ₹999 | 6 years |
| 3K Community Run | 7:15 AM | Not stated | ₹799 | 6 years |
| 2K, divyang runners only | 7:20 AM | Not stated | Free | Not stated |
*The 5K card on the official site says 7:00 AM, but the race-day schedule on the same site lists the 5K flag-off at 6:45 AM. The organisers had not cleared that up before the race. The helpline on the site is +91 63515 80588.
The registration fee covers an IAF commemorative tee, a timing-chip bib, a goodie bag with IAF memorabilia and partner vouchers, a medal, breakfast and hydration. Registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable, and runners declare that they are medically fit by accepting the terms when they register. Fees change from city to city: the national website lists different prices for Delhi, so use the figures above only for the Chandigarh race.
Race-day timeline, Sunday 4 October
- 4:30 AM: gates open; gear check-in and medical checks begin
- 5:00 AM: guided warm-up and route briefing
- 5:30 AM: 21.1K flag-off
- 5:45 AM: 10K warm-up
- 6:15 AM: 10K flag-off
- 6:20 AM: 5K warm-up
- 6:45 AM: 5K flag-off (as per the schedule)
- 7:00 AM: warm-up for the 3K and 2K
- 7:15 AM: 3K flag-off
- 7:20 AM: 2K flag-off
- 9:30 AM: award ceremony
The schedule said entry gates would close 20 minutes before each flag-off (about 5:10 AM for the half marathon).
Bib collection and the expo
Bibs were handed out only at the expo on Saturday, 3 October, from 10 AM to 5 PM, at the ground opposite Chandigarh Club. The organisers called collection mandatory: a runner who skipped it was disqualified, and the fee was not refunded. Defence-category participants had to show an original, valid defence ID at the expo for verification.
The expo was more than a counter. The site listed a live Armed Forces band, “Know Your Air Force” displays about the Air Force’s history and equipment, and an expo village of sponsor stalls and family activities.
What was not announced before the race
When we checked on 20 September, and again on 12 October, the official site still said the route details “will be updated soon” for every category, and prize details were also pending. It did not publish a traffic or parking advisory for race morning. The start was in Sector 1, near the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake.
The promo run at Sukhna Lake
In the build-up, on Sunday, 20 September, the Air Force held its third promotional run at Sukhna Lake, and All India Radio reported more than 300 people from Chandigarh, Mohali and nearby areas, among them young people, serving personnel, veterans and fitness enthusiasts. The ticket page run by CYRUNS Sports & Wellness had promised a free T-shirt to the first 150 runners.
More on the Air Force and the armed forces in Chandigarh
- Air Force Museum, Chandigarh: the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre in Sector 18 is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM, so the afternoon after the race works; it is closed on Mondays.
- Air Show Chandigarh 2026: the Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team was scheduled to perform at Sukhna Lake on 27 and 28 March.
- Military Literature Festival, Chandigarh: the Army’s Western Command and the local administration hold it at Sukhna Lake; the last edition ran 7 to 9 November 2025.
- Chandigarh Marathon & Wellness: a separate race that we organised at the Capitol Complex on 11 October 2026, a week after this one, with a Kids & Parent Fun Run for ages 6–12.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Sekhon IAF Marathon in Chandigarh?
It was held on Sunday, 4 October 2026, with the bib expo the day before, on Saturday, 3 October, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Where did the Chandigarh race start?
At the ground opposite Chandigarh Club, Sector 1, Chandigarh. The bib expo was held at the same ground.
How much did it cost to register?
The Chandigarh fees, including GST, were ₹1,499 for the 21.1K, ₹1,299 for the 10K, ₹999 for the 5K and ₹799 for the 3K. The 2K run for divyang runners is free.
Is bib collection compulsory?
Yes. The organisers said bibs would be handed out only at the expo on 3 October, and that a runner who did not collect one would be disqualified without a refund.
What is the minimum age?
It is 18 for the 21.1K, 16 for the 10K, and 6 for both the 5K and the 3K, according to the official site. It does not state an age for the 2K, which is for divyang runners only.
Were the routes published before the race?
No. When we checked on 20 September and again on 12 October, the official site said route details for every category “will be updated soon”.
Can I transfer or cancel my registration?
No. Registrations are strictly non-transferable and non-refundable, and a runner found using another participant’s bib is disqualified.
Sources
- Sekhon IAF Marathon Chandigarh 2026, official website
- Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2026, national website (Delhi and other cities)
- All India Radio (News on AIR), promotional run ahead of the marathon, 20 September 2026
- Townscript listing of the promo run at Sukhna Lake, 20 September 2026
- Sekhon IAF Marathon Chandigarh on Instagram
- Wikipedia, Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
