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Kartik Karkera Wins Cognizant New Delhi Marathon, Qualifies for Asian Games

Kartik Karkera of Mumbai won the men's marathon at the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon with a time of 2:13:10, securing his qualification for the Asian Games. He narrowly edged out competitors Gopi Thonakal and Man Singh in a fiercely contested race. In the women's event, Thakor Nirmaben claimed victory but the elite runners did not achieve the Asian Games qualifying standard. The event was flagged off by Olympian Vijender Singh and tennis star Rohan Bopanna and featured over 30,000 participants from around the world.

Key Points: Kartik Karkera Wins New Delhi Marathon, Secures Asian Games Spot

  • Kartik Karkera wins in 2:13:10
  • Qualifies for Asian Games
  • Over 30,000 runners from 31 countries
  • Vijender Singh and Rohan Bopanna flag off races
  • Elite women fall short of Asian Games mark
3 min read

Kartik Karkera dazzles in Cognizant New Delhi Marathon

Mumbai's Kartik Karkera wins the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon in 2:13:10, beating Gopi Thonakal and Man Singh to qualify for the Asian Games.

"Every year, the New Delhi Marathon is becoming bigger and better, with the cream of India taking part. - Nagaraj Adiga, Race Director"

New Delhi, February 22

Mumbai's Kartik Karkera scorched the route all along the 11th edition of the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon to annex the prestigious crown here on Sunday morning.

Completing the 42.2 kilometres as the world slept in a remarkable time of two hours and thirteen minutes (02:13:10), Karkera comfortably surpassed the qualifying mark for the Asian Games in Japan later this year, according to a release.

A doctor by profession, the 28-year-old had to stave off a concerted bid by Gopi Thonakal (02:13:12) and Man Singh (02:13:15) to eventually take the top position on the podium.

The fierce competition between the trio saw them cross the finish line within a few breaths of each other, well under the 2:15:04 required for men to grace the Asian Games in September.

The elite women, however, could not match their male counterparts' stunning run, falling way short of the 2:31:52 mark. Thakor Nirmaben (02:41:15), however, will be proud of her performance, doing justice to her higher ranking while leaving Bhagirathi (02:43:28) and Ashwini Jadhav (02:56:59) in her trail.

The New Delhi Marathon, the AFI-certified National Marathon of the country, proved to be a runaway success, with over 30,000 runners from 31 countries, 490 cities participating.

Olympic medallist Vijender Singh and tennis star Rohan Bopanna flagged off key races in the morning and, later, bestowed the glittering trophies and prize money on the winners.

"Every year, the New Delhi Marathon is becoming bigger and better, with the cream of India taking part in the event. The presence of several athletes from other countries is the crowning glory for us," Nagaraj Adiga, Race Director & CMD of NEB Sports, said.

"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon 2026 for their extraordinary performances. Equally, every participant, whether an elite athlete, a first-time runner, or a community supporter, has helped make this event a true celebration of resilience, unity, and the human spirit. Together, we are proud to have been part of a memorable edition that showcased not only outstanding athletic achievement but also the collective energy and inspiration of the running community," said Rajesh Varrier, President - Global Operations and Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India.

In the other key races, Kuldip Kumar (01:08:51) and Genet Shikur Reshid (01:19:36) grabbed the bragging rights in the half-marathons. Ravi Bumbak (01:09:33) and Mohmmad Sahil Anigeri (01:09:41) took the next two positions among men, as did Ekta Ekta (01:19:39) and Priti Lamva (01:19:59)among women.

Marathon (Men): 1. Kartik Jayraj Karkera (02:13:10); 2. Gopi Thonakal (02:13:12); 3. Man Singh (02:13:15)Marathon (Women): 1. Thakor Nirmaben Bharatjee (02:41:15); 2. Bhagirathi (02:43:28); 3. Ashwini Madan Jadhav (02:56:59)Half-Marathon (Men): 1. Kuldip Kumar (01:08:51); 2. Ravi Bumbak (01:09:33); 3. Mohmmad Sahil Anigeri (01:09:41)Half-Marathon (Women): 1. Genet Shikur Reshid (01:19:36); 2. Ekta Ekta (01:19:39); 3. Priti Lamva (01:19:59)10K (Men): 1. Manav Sharma (0:30:40); 2. Prakash Rai (0:30:44); 3. Vishal Singh (0:34:45)10K (Women): 1. Anjali (0:37:05); 2. Neha Neha (0:41:50); 3. Anupriti Mishra (0:41:48).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud of all the athletes, especially the women! Thakor Nirmaben ran a strong race. While the article points out they didn't hit the Asian Games mark, let's celebrate their achievement. Running a marathon is no joke! Also great to see international participation. Delhi's air quality can be tough, so kudos to everyone who finished. 👏
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Rohit P
30,000 runners from 31 countries! That's massive. Events like these put India on the global sporting map beyond cricket. Having stars like Vijender and Bopanna adds to the glamour, but the real stars are the runners. Hope the infrastructure and support for marathoners keeps improving. We need more such events in other metros too.
S
Sarah B
The timing difference between the top three men is insane! Just 5 seconds separating them after 42 km. That's pure drama and shows the level of competition. Gopi Thonakal and Man Singh were so close. Heartbreaking for them, but what a race. Respect to all.
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Nikhil C
A small note of constructive criticism: while the event was a success, the article briefly mentions the women's times were "way short" of the Asian Games mark. I wish there was more analysis on why. Is it lack of specialized training, fewer opportunities, or funding gaps? Celebrating the win is important, but understanding the gap is crucial for future growth.
K
Kavya N
Seeing names like Genet Shikur Reshid winning the women's half-marathon shows how global this event has become. And Ekta Ekta and Priti Lamva right behind her –

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