All you need to know about the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

Every year begins with the biggest running event in India. Every passionate runner has the third Sunday of January marked down the moment the new calendar enters the house. The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is by far the most exciting and the best organised marathon in India. Here is everything you need to know about the event.

#1 India\'s finest running event

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon brings together runners from all around the world. Over 40,000 people have registered for the 2015 event. Besides cricket, you rarely get to see so many people come together for a sporting event.

But that is the appeal of the marathon. It manages to attract all the big names in the entertainment industry. More importantly, it manages to draw a large crowd every year.

The marathon begins at opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai. Throughout the 42 kms, the route takes runners to Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Haji Ali, Mahim Church, and the Bandra–Worli Sea Link.

#2 Race categories and registration

With over 40,000 participants in the biggest running event, runners can register is one of six categories.

Marathon (42.194 km)

Half marathon (21.097 km),

Dream Run (6 km),

Senior Citizens Race (4.3 km),

Champions with Disability category (2.4 km)

DHL Corporate Champions (42.195 km, 4-person relay)

Registrations for the race begin as early as July and go on until November. To register as a timed runner for the marathon and the half marathon, the runner needs to have previously completed a race organised by an official governning body. The marathon needs to be finished under 7 hours and the half marathon under three hours to ensure participation in the Mumbai Marathon. A detailed timing requirement for each category can be found on the official website here.

#3 Supporting causes

The Standard Chartered is not just about running, it’s about getting the entire community together. The United Way of Mumbai is the official Charity Partner. UWM ensures "Philanthropy Exchange" for charities and non-profit organizations at the event. The marathon raised over Rs. 20 crores for different causes in 2014.

In 2014, a staggerring 269 NGOs were involved with the event.

#4 Records and past winners

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is a highly competitive event. Top runners from the globe run in the city.

Here are the winners over the past 10 years.

Year	Men's winner	Time (h:m:s)	Women's winner	Time (h:m:s)
2004	Hendrick Ramaala	2:15:47	Wioletta Uryga	2:47:53
2005	Julius Sugut	2:13:20	Mulu Seboka	2:35:03
2006	Daniel Rono	2:12:03	Mulu Seboka	2:33:15
2007	John Kelai	2:12:27	Yang Fengxia	2:36:16
2008	John Kelai	2:12:23	Mulu Seboka	2:30:04
2009	Kenneth Mugara	2:11:51	Kebebush Haile	2:34:08
2010	Denis Ndiso	2:12:40	Bizunesh Urgesa	2:31:09
2011	Girma Assefa	2:09:54	Koren Jelela	2:26:56
2012	Laban Moiben	2:10:48	Netsanet Achamo	2:26:12
2013	Jackson Kiprop	2:09:32	Valentine Kipketer	2:24:33
2014	Evans Ruto	2:09:32	Dinknesh Mekash	2:28:08

2013 winners Jackson Kiprop and Valentine Kipketer hold the track record.

#5 Celebrity involvement

Film director Nagesh Kokunoor and actor Diya Mirza

Bollywood superstar John Abraham is the official event ambassador. The marathon has seen several celebrities run including Preity Zinta, Gul Panag, Juhi Chawla, Tina Ambani, Vivek Oberoi, Rahul Bose, Dia Mirza, Anil Ambani and Kalki Koechlin. Neha Dhupia, Gulshan Grover, Juhi Chawla and Tara Sharma also made played a part in last year’s event.