23 August,2026 08:53 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Senior government and civic officials, police officers, corporate employees, students, and teachers also joined the run, giving the event participation beyond the usual professional running community. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
On Sunday morning, Navi Mumbai's Kharghar node woke up before dawn to the pounding footsteps of nearly 9,000 runners, turning the roads and hills into a massive sporting arena. The Kharghar Hill Mayor Marathon, organised by the Panvel Municipal Corporation, has given the city a sporting identity of its own.
The highlight was the 42-km full marathon, billed by the organisers as the country's first full-distance hill marathon. With the race receiving AIMS certification, civic officials believe the event could attract runners from across the country and overseas in future editions.
"This marathon is not just about running,it is about putting Panvel on the national and international sporting map. The response from citizens and runners has given us the confidence to make this an even bigger event in the coming years," said Mayor Nitin Patil.
The marathon began at 4.30 am, with Patil, MLA Prashant Thakur, chief promoter Paresh Thakur, Raigad Collector Kishan Jadhav, IPS officer Krishna Prakash, CIDCO Joint Managing Director Ganesh Deshmukh and PMC Commissioner Mangesh Chitale among those present. Actor Ankush Chaudhari also flagged off the races and cheered the participants.
The event offered five categories - 42 km full marathon, 21 km half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and a 3 km fun run. The shorter distances drew the biggest crowds, with participants ranging from young children to senior citizens.
But the most striking moments came from the inclusive races. Around 100 persons with disabilities participated in a dedicated marathon organised specifically for them. Nine visually impaired runners also took part in the 21-km half marathon, turning the event into a display of determination rather than simply a race against the clock.
"From the route and medical arrangements to crowd management, our focus was to ensure that every runner could participate safely. We want the Kharghar Hill Marathon to become an annual sporting landmark for Panvel," said PMC Commissioner Mangesh Chitale.
The 42-km route pushed runners through several stretches of Kharghar, including Central Park, Utsav Chowk, Belpada, RBI Colony, Chafewadi, Phanaswadi, Golf Course Road, Gurudwara, Ranjanpada, Kharghar Football Stadium, and the Taloja Jail Road stretch before returning to Central Park.
Senior government and civic officials, police officers, corporate employees, students, and teachers also joined the run, giving the event participation beyond the usual professional running community.
With nearly 9,000 participants, AIMS certification and a demanding hill route, Kharghar may have just taken its first serious stride towards becoming a destination on the marathon calendar. The bigger race now will be to make it truly global.
