4,500 Runners, a 2:38:51 Win: Tawang Marathon 2026 Results
More than 4,500 runners took on the Tawang Marathon in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday. Here are the winners, finish times and what this high-altitude race means if you want to run it next year.
At 5:30 am on Saturday, the full marathon runners left the stadium in Tawang with the Eastern Himalayas around them. A little under three hours later, Anish Thapa Mager crossed the line first in 2:38:51. More than 4,500 people ran some part of the Tawang Marathon that day.
That is a big crowd for a race in a remote border district of Arunachal Pradesh. If the Tawang Marathon has been popping up in your feed, here is what happened, who won and what it takes to run it.
Quick answer
- The fourth Tawang Marathon, called Tawang Marathon 4.0, was held on Saturday, 24 Oct, at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Sports Stadium.
- More than 4,500 runners took part across four races: 5 km, 10 km, a 21 km half marathon and a 42 km full marathon.
- Anish Thapa Mager won the men's full marathon in 2:38:51 and Binita Kami won the women's in 3:53:31.
- Results announced on the day are provisional and still subject to verification, the organisers said.
Tawang Marathon 2026 in plain numbers
The Arunachal Times reports that altogether 4,500 runners from across the country took part. Arunachal24 puts it at more than 4,500.
The field was a real mix. It included serious athletes, casual fitness fans, members of the armed forces and people from local communities.
The event was organised by the district administration, the Indian Army, the state Sports and Youth Affairs Department and volunteers. Its stated goal was to promote fitness, adventure sports and tourism in the region.
Four races, four very different efforts
The Tawang Marathon offered something for almost every level. The shortest race was 5 km and the longest was the full 42 km.
Source: The Arunachal Times
This matters if you are thinking about next year. A 5 km at high altitude is a fair first goal for a regular walker or jogger. The 42 km is a different animal, because thin mountain air makes every kilometre feel harder than it would on a flat city course.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini flagged off the full marathon. Bollywood actor Amit Sial attended as Guest of Honour and praised the district's natural beauty.
Tawang Marathon winners and finish times
These are the provisional top three in each race, as reported by The Arunachal Times. The official results page has the same winners, though it lists Mukesh Kumar's full marathon time as 2:42:48 rather than 2:42:41.
42 km full marathon (men)
- Anish Thapa Mager: 2:38:51
- Mukesh Kumar: 2:42:41
- Nikhil Santosh Singh: 2:49:46
42 km full marathon (women)
- Binita Kami: 3:53:31
- Samjana Subba: 3:59:33
- Dakahi Kyndait: 4:08:31
21 km half marathon (men)
- Raghunandan Singh Kumanya: 1:16:53
- Arif Ali: 1:18:46
- Anand Singh Rawat: 1:18:56
21 km half marathon (women)
- Anjuli Subba: 1:35:07
- Munni: 1:36:00
- Pooja Verma: 1:37:03
10 km run
- Men: Jeevan Singh won in 35:56, ahead of Sanjay Singh (36:22) and Bhanu Pratap (36:37).
- Women: Neha Patil won in 48:35, ahead of Jidalin Tympu (48:51) and Anamika Devi (51:04).
5 km run
- Men: Gopal Singh Lamgariya won in 18:15, ahead of Akash (18:36) and Deepak Bisht (18:47).
- Women: Khushboo Nishad won in 26:15, ahead of Amisha Sharma (27:28) and Nima Rema (27:29).
Winners got trophies, mementoes and symbolic cheques. The organisers were clear that every result is provisional until it is checked.
Why a high-altitude race feels so different
The minister called Tawang a challenging high-altitude environment, and that is the key thing for anyone planning to run here.
Look at the women's full marathon. The winning time of 3:53:31 shows how tough the course and conditions were, even for the strongest runners in the field. Do not judge yourself by your flat-road personal best.
Some plain, practical points if you are tempted:
- Arrive early. Give your body a few days in the hills before race day instead of flying in and running the next morning.
- Pick the right distance. If you have never run above the plains, start with the 5 km or 10 km rather than the half or full marathon.
- Slow down on purpose. Run by effort, not by your usual pace. Walking the climbs is normal, not a failure.
- Dress for a cold start. The full marathon began at 5:30 am, so expect a chilly morning in the mountains.
- Drink and eat steadily. Do not wait until you feel thirsty or empty to refuel.
More than a race for Tawang
Officials framed the event as a push for sports tourism. Arunachal24 notes that the race showcased Tawang's Himalayan landscape, culture and hospitality to visitors from across India.
Jini thanked Chief Minister Pema Khandu for backing sports in the state. He said events of this scale inspire young people to live healthier lives and build resilience.
There was a cultural side too. Folk artists and Indian Army personnel performed after the flag-off, which reflects the close ties between the army and the local community in this border district.
Arunachal24 adds a fair caution: the long-term impact depends on whether Tawang keeps running events like this and keeps drawing participants back.
How to use this if you want to run Tawang next year
Treat the Tawang Marathon as a travel goal and a fitness goal at once. The race gives you a fixed date to train for, and the setting is a strong reason to stay a few extra days.
Start by building a steady base of easy runs or brisk walks. Then add one longer run each week. If you can comfortably cover your chosen distance on flat ground at an easy effort, you are in a much better place to handle the hills.
Watch the official Tawang Marathon website for the next edition's dates and registration details, and check the final verified results there too.
FAQs
When was the Tawang Marathon 2026 held? The fourth edition was held on Saturday, 24 Oct, at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Sports Stadium in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
How many people ran the Tawang Marathon? More than 4,500 runners took part across all four race categories, according to The Arunachal Times and Arunachal24.
Who won the Tawang Marathon full marathon? Anish Thapa Mager won the men's 42 km in 2:38:51 and Binita Kami won the women's 42 km in 3:53:31. These results are provisional.
Can a beginner run the Tawang Marathon? The 5 km and 10 km races are the most realistic options for beginners. Because of the high altitude, arrive early, go slowly and speak to a doctor first if you have any heart or lung condition.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before changing your diet or training.
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