Coastal Road debuts in Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026, medical support strengthened across route

Hugh Jones, Race Director, TMM, said, “The Tata Mumbai Marathon course has truly come into its own now. After years of work and refinement, the dust has settled. The course, with the coastal stretch, adds a refreshing new dimension. It opens up the air, the views, and the experience for runners.” Jones cautioned that this is “a tough course, though, and there is an incline on the coastal stretch.”

Procam (race promoters) Jt MD Vivek Singh said the most exciting feature was the inclusion of the Coastal Road in the route, and it is a “striking new chapter to one of the world’s most celebrated urban marathons.”

The race has a new medical partner with Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital clambering on board. Dr Rahul Pandit, chair, Critical Care at Reliance Foundation Hospital and Race Medical Director, said at the conference, “Our priority is ensuring every runner crosses the finish line safely. We will have three ICU-manned medical base camps with six ICU beds each dotted across the course on race day, ambulances staffed by ICU-trained emergency specialists, and medic bikers who will act as mobile spotters across the race route and spectator areas. 

Over 450 medical professionals will be deployed to support the marathon.” The medical director added that in the full marathon, especially where we have more than 14,000 runners this time, “We often see runners struggling towards the last 2 km. Our spotters will be able to see these, recognise distress signals and if need be, tell them to pull out of the race for treatment.” The press was informed that there are arrangements with a number of hospitals on or near the marathon route, which are ready to admit any runners if needed.

Metro moves

It is not just the Coastal Road which is debuting this edition. The Metro Aqua Line is also a part of the race. Tejas Mishra, Senior DGM (Operations), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), said at the conference, “We will have special services for runners. Trains will operate from Aarey Metro Station and Cuffe Parade, transporting runners to key start points. The first service from Aarey will begin at 3.30 am, and Cuffe Parade too, and then we have another service at 4.30 am from Aarey, and 4.50 am from Cuffe Parade. Our regular services will commence at 5.55 am as it happens daily.” This is significant when it comes to ease of commuting on race day. Many runners have to reach start lines extremely early, along with officials and others associated in different capacities for the event, so this should provide some relief.  

Singh added that 29 run clubs will actively manage support stations and cheering zones. These running clubs understand the psychology of runners and know what they are going through on the course. The conference closed with Vivek Singh highlighting waste management through and post-race, and different environmental initiatives. Procam's Joint MD's bright, green running shoes were, one thought, also symbolic of the green running event.

Medical facilities

>> 16 medical stations on the route
>> 3 medical base camps — 2 at the Half Marathon finish line (OCS Chowki) and 1 at the Dream Run finish (near Metro Theatre)
>> 6 mini medical camps stationed at Azad Maidan, Bombay Gymkhana, Cross Maidan, CWD/SCR Tent, Mahim Reti Bunder, and the CSMT start-finish line
>> 25 ambulances

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