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  4. Mumbai Marathon 2026: Orthopaedic surgeon Kartik Karkera tops Indian field, East Africans dominate international races

Running on familiar roads and buoyed by vocal support, Karkera said the closing stages demanded more than just physical strength.

Mumbai Marathon Kartik KarkeraIndian Elite Men's race winner Kartik Karkera during the 21st edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, on the illuminated Bandra-Worli Sea Link, in Mumbai, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2025. (PTI Photo)

By the time the Mumbai sun rose over Marine Drive, Kartik Karkera had already done enough to secure his race. The Nashik-based orthopaedic surgeon finished as the fastest Indian runner at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026, clocking 2:19:55 to win the Indian Elite men’s race on Sunday.

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Karkera’s performance was a combination of steady pacing, experience and determination, as he negotiated the route with precision.

Running on familiar roads and buoyed by vocal local support, the 28-year-old said the closing stages demanded more than just physical strength.

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“Mumbai is my city. I got very good road support, and I tried till the end and did not want to give up,” he told reporters after the race. “The last two or three kilometres were tough, but I managed.”

Karkera balances elite sport with a full-time medical career, working as an orthopaedic surgeon at Dr Vasantrao Pawar Hospital in Nashik. He believes his professional training has helped him stay disciplined and manage his recovery.

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“My studies have helped me a lot. I recover quickly and don’t take much stress. I run for fun,” he said, adding that accommodating training around hospital duties remains his biggest challenge.

His dual life as a surgeon and a marathoner underlines the dedication and resilience required to compete at the highest level while managing a demanding career.

Looking ahead, Karkera said his focus will now shift to key races later in the season. “My main goal is to run marathons before the Delhi Marathon, where Asian Games qualification is expected,” he said.

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In the Indian Elite men’s race, Anish Magar finished second in 2:20:08, while Pradeep Choudhary was third in 2:20:49, highlighting the growing depth in Indian long-distance running, signalling steady progress in the field.

Women too impress

Indian women also delivered competitive performances. Sanjivani Jadhav emerged as the fastest Indian, finishing in 2:49:02, narrowly ahead of Nirmaben Thakor (2:49:13), who was chasing a hat-trick of wins, and Sonam (2:49:24) in a closely-contested race.

“This was my first full marathon, and I don’t have much experience at this distance. I just tried to finish strong,” Jadhav said after the race.

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International elites dominate

The marathon overall was dominated by East African runners. In the International Elite men’s category, Ethiopia’s Tadu Abate Deme won in 2:09:55, finishing ahead of Kenya’s Leonard Langat (2:10:10). Merhawi Kesete Weldemaryam of Eritrea finished third with a timing of 2:10:22. Ethiopian Gada Gemsisa Gudeta was fourth (2:10:49).

Ethiopia swept the podium in the International Elite women’s race, with Yeshi Kalayu Chekole claiming victory in 2:25:13. She was followed by Kidson Alema Gebremedhin (2:27:35) and Gojjam Tsegaye Enyew (2:28:27).

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd