Will Men’s 21km Be the Highlight of the Indian Open Race Walk Competition?
Synopsis
Get ready for an exhilarating weekend as the Indian Open Race Walk Competition debuts new events at Sukhna Lake. Witness elite athletes, including Olympians, compete in the 21km and 42km walks, making history in Indian athletics. Don't miss the action on Saturday and Sunday!
Key Takeaways
21km and 42km events debut in Indian Open Race Walk Competition.
Prominent athletes include Olympians and medalists.
Event location: Sukhna Lake , Chandigarh.
Competition starts at 7 am on both days.
International judges invited for oversight.
Chandigarh, Feb 20 (NationPress) Athletes participating in the 13th edition of the Indian Open Race Walk Competition in Chandigarh will compete in two newly-added events for the first time this season: the 21km (half marathon walk) and 42km (full marathon walk) for senior men and women. This two-day event will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the stunning Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
According to chief national athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair, “The World Athletics, the global authority for track and field, introduced the half-marathon walk and full marathon walk events last year. This marks the inaugural participation of Indian athletes in these new categories.”
Previously, the standard distances for senior men and women were 20km and 35km in all World Athletics-sanctioned competitions until the 2025 season.
The men's half-marathon walk (21km) is set to be the main highlight of the event. Four Olympians from Paris—Akshdeep Singh, Paramjeet Singh Bisht, Suraj Panwar, and Vikash Singh—will compete on Sunday.
They will face off against Servin Sebastain, who excelled in the 2025 season and represented India at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. “My training is on schedule. I’m in good health and expect a strong performance on Sunday,” Servin stated.
Additionally, Germany’s up-and-coming race walker, Frederick Weigel, is the sole foreign participant in the men’s 21km event.
The competition is equally compelling in the men’s full marathon walk (42km), featuring Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist (10km walk) Sandeep Kumar among the 31 registered athletes.
Former World U20 medallist Amit and Ram Baboo will also challenge their endurance in the full marathon walk in Chandigarh.
In the women's full marathon walk, Olympian Priyanka Goswami will compete against Payal from Uttarakhand and Manju from Punjab for dominance. Only nine athletes are registered for this event.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has invited three international race walk judges, including one from Malaysia, to supervise the two-day competition, ensuring a smooth process alongside Indian judges.
In addition to the full and half marathon walks, races will also be held for senior men’s and women’s 10km, with a 5km distance for U20 athletes.
The events will begin at 7 am on both days.
Saturday's schedule includes the Full marathon walk (men and women) and the 10km race walk (men and women); while Sunday will feature the Half-marathon walk (men and women) and the 5km race walk (U20 men and women).
Point of View
The introduction of the 21km and 42km events marks a significant evolution in Indian athletics. This competition not only showcases local talent but also sets the stage for Indian athletes to shine on an international platform. The excitement surrounding this event reflects a growing interest in race walking, promoting fitness and sportsmanship across the nation.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new events introduced this year?
This year, the competition introduces the 21km (half marathon walk) and 42km (full marathon walk) events for the first time.
Where will the competition take place?
The competition will be held at the scenic Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
When does the competition start?
The events are scheduled to begin at 7 am on both Saturday and Sunday.
Who are some key athletes to watch?
Notable athletes include Olympians Akshdeep Singh and Priyanka Goswami , among others.
How many athletes are participating?
There are a total of 31 athletes registered for the men’s full marathon walk, and nine for the women’s full marathon walk.
