Over 35,000 runners take part in Bengaluru Marathon

Recently recognised as an Open National Marathon by the Athletics Federation of India, the event attracted India’s finest elite athletes and featured the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, the 10K Run and the ever-popular 5K Fun Run.

The day began with the flagging off of the Full Marathon at 3:50 am, followed by the Half Marathon at 6:15 am, the 10K at 7.45 am and finally the 5K Fun Run at 8:30 am. Badminton legend and Padma Bhushan awardee Pullela Gopichand flagged off the races, setting the tone for an inspiring morning of endurance and camaraderie. The scenic route took runners past Bengaluru’s most iconic landmarks, including MG Road, Vidhana Soudha, and Cubbon Park, creating a vibrant backdrop for the city-wide celebration. Thousands of runners took to the streets in neon orange-coloured Race Day Tees specially designed by sports brand PUMA India in high-performance fabric, supporting the participants all the way to the finish line.

In the Full Marathon, Pradeep Singh Chaudhary claimed the men’s title with a timing of 2:25:19, while Ashwini Jadhav secured the top spot in the women’s category, finishing with a timing of 03:03:59. Over 3,500 runners took part in the full marathon this year. In the Half Marathon category, which saw the highest ever participation of over 11,000 runners, Ankit Gupta took the first place in the men’s race with a timing of 1:06:10, while Devangi Purkayastha triumphed in the women’s half marathon with a time of 1:29:17. The 10K winners in the men’s and women’s category were Pramukh BR and Ramya R with timing of 39 minutes and 52 minutes respectively.

The 5K Hope Run once again drew overwhelming participation, with over 15,000 runners including senior citizens, children, corporates, and NGOs coming together to run for a cause.

Speaking on the occasion, Ranjita Ghosh, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Wipro Limited, said, “Wipro is proud to be the Title Sponsor of the Bengaluru Marathon for the third consecutive year. This event captures the spirit of Bengaluru, its vibrance, commitment, and community. Wipro is thrilled to run alongside the city in this celebration of progress with purpose.”

Murali Malayappan, Chairman and Managing Director of Shriram Properties Ltd, added, “The Bengaluru Marathon has truly become a symbol of the city’s spirit, uniting citizens, corporates, and communities in a remarkable way. The energy and determination of the runners reflect Bengaluru’s resilience and vibrancy. We are proud to continue our association with this inspiring event for the 12th consecutive year, and the overwhelming participation this year is truly encouraging.”

Commenting on the occasion, Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, said, “The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is a landmark event on the country’s marathon calendar. What makes it extremely special for us as the Official Sportswear Partner is that the marathon is on PUMA India’s home turf. This season brought together a diverse community of runners in the Silicon City of India and we felt proud to have fuelled their journey with our vibrant and performance-driven neon orange Race Day Tees. Running is one of the fastest growing sports in India, and our partnership with NEB Sports has allowed us to meaningfully contribute to this momentum.”

Race Director, Nagaraj Adiga, shared, “This year’s turnout exceeded our expectations with more than 35,000 participants. It is heartening to witness Bengaluru’s love for running grow stronger with each edition. The marathon has become much more than a race—it is a celebration of inclusivity, determination, and the vibrant spirit of our city.”

Winners also expressed their excitement. The men’s marathon champion Pradeep Singh said, “Winning at the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon is a dream come true. The support from the crowd and the atmosphere throughout the course were incredible.”

The women’s Full Marathon winner Ashwini added, “Crossing the finish line today was a surreal moment for me.
This victory represents months of dedication and the unrelenting encouragement of the running community.”
The 2025 edition closed on a high note with prize distribution and festivities, including music and cultural performances, which kept participants and spectators energised throughout the day. The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2025 reaffirmed its status as a marquee running event, uniting people from all walks of life in a shared pursuit of health, perseverance, and camaraderie.

This year, the marathon had a special spotlight on women CXO leaders from global organisations such as Wipro, Kyndryl, Cisco, Ernst & Young, Siemens, Wells Fargo, Qualcomm, Zumitor, and Flipkart, who have been named official ambassadors of the event. Their participation underscores the strong synergy between Bengaluru’s corporate leadership and its thriving fitness culture.

The Charity 10K category of the event successfully mobilized over Rs. 40 lakh this year in donations, which is being directed towards select NGOs supporting underprivileged communities and promoting sports development initiatives.

Some of the inspiring moments from this year’s Wipro Bengaluru Marathon included:
Motivation India, an NGO dedicated to empowering people with disabilities, brought over 14 wheelchair participants for the 5K Fun Run. For many who are originally from remote parts of Karnataka, it was their very first marathon experience—and the joy and pride on their faces captured the true spirit of the event.
At 63, Mohan Nagappa continues to redefine endurance. This year, he completed the half marathon, adding it to his countless list of runs. With two marathon events every week as part of his routine, Mohan’s passion and energy remain boundless, inspiring younger runners on the track.

Among the most celebrated athletes on the course was Ankur Dhama, Arjuna Awardee (2018) and Gold Medalist in the 5000m at the Para Asian Games 2022. Despite being visually impaired, Ankur powered through the 10K run with his guide Anmol, a testament to his grit and determination. He now has his eyes set on representing India at the Para Asian Games 2026.

For Vijay, who wheeled his way through his very first 10K, the marathon became more than just a race. He found an unexpected companion in fellow runner Rama Nagraj, who cheered him on and ran alongside him. What began as a shared run is now the start of a new friendship—and many more 10Ks together.