Puri Coastal Marathon 2026: ₹1 crore prize purse at India's first road-and-sand marathon on Dec 13
Synopsis
India is getting its first road-plus-sand marathon on 13 December in Puri, Odisha — and with a ₹1 crore prize purse, Olympic medallist endorsements, and a course that runs across beach sand and a river crossing near the Blackbuck Sanctuary, it is designed to be unlike any marathon the country has seen before. Registrations close 14 November.
Key Takeaways
The Puri Coastal Marathon , India's first road-plus-sand marathon, is scheduled for 13 December 2026 in Puri, Odisha .
Total prize purse stands at ₹1 crore , with four race categories: 42K, 21K, 10K, and 5K .
Registrations close on 14 November 2026 .
The route includes an exclusive 5K Beach Run , a crossing of the Nuanai River , and a stretch near the Blackbuck Sanctuary .
Sporting endorsements include Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra , Olympian Anuradha Biswal , and para-athlete Suchitra Parida .
Bollywood and entertainment figures including Ajay Devgn , Kapil Sharma , and Milind Soman are among the event's prominent promoters.
India's first-ever road-plus-sand marathon, the Puri Coastal Marathon, is set to debut on 13 December 2026 in the sacred coastal city of Puri, Odisha, offering runners a ₹1 crore total prize purse and an unprecedented route that combines tarmac, beach sand, and riverside terrain. With registrations closing on 14 November, prospective participants have a narrow window to secure their spot in what organisers describe as a landmark moment for Indian distance running.
Race Categories and Route Highlights
The marathon offers four distance categories — 42K, 21K, 10K, and 5K — catering to elite competitors, recreational runners, and first-timers alike. The course is designed to be as scenic as it is demanding: participants will tackle an exclusive 5K Beach Run on Puri's coastline, cross the tranquil Nuanai River, and pass through the serene landscape adjoining the Blackbuck Sanctuary. No other sanctioned marathon in India currently combines road and sand terrain at this scale, according to the organisers.
Celebrity and Sporting Endorsements
The event has drawn backing from a broad coalition of sporting icons and entertainment figures. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, Olympian Anuradha Biswal, former Indian weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar, and para-athlete Suchitra Parida are among the sporting ambassadors lending credibility to the race. On the entertainment side, Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn, Rajkummar Rao, Manjari Fadnis, Sharad Malhotra, and Archana Singh, along with comedian Kapil Sharma, have extended their support. Fitness advocates Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar have also been actively promoting the event, encouraging wider public participation.
Cultural Experience Beyond the Race
Organisers have positioned the Puri Coastal Marathon as more than a competitive event. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with Puri's rich artistic traditions, coastal heritage, and natural landscapes — including the Jagannath temple town's distinctive local culture. This experiential dimension is intended to attract both domestic and international running tourism, a segment that has grown steadily across Asia over the past decade.
What This Means for Odisha's Sporting Profile
Odisha has emerged as one of India's most ambitious sports-hosting states in recent years, backing international hockey tournaments and infrastructure investment. The Puri Coastal Marathon fits that broader strategic push, aiming to place Odisha on the national and international running circuit. With a ₹1 crore prize pool — competitive by Indian road-race standards — the event is expected to attract elite athletes alongside mass participants. All runners must complete registration by 14 November 2026.
Point of View
Where elite appearance fees are modest and prize money has historically been thin outside city marquee events. What is strategically interesting here is the terrain innovation — road-plus-sand is a genuine differentiator at a time when the Indian marathon calendar is crowded with urban events. The celebrity endorsement roster is unusually wide, suggesting the organisers are targeting mass participation alongside competitive runners. The real measure of success will be elite field quality and turnout numbers on race day — both of which will determine whether Puri becomes a fixture on the Indian running calendar or a one-edition novelty.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Puri Coastal Marathon and when is it held?
The Puri Coastal Marathon is India's first road-plus-sand marathon, scheduled for 13 December 2026 in the coastal city of Puri, Odisha. It offers four race categories — 42K, 21K, 10K, and 5K — with a ₹1 crore total prize purse.
When do registrations for the Puri Coastal Marathon close?
Registrations for the Puri Coastal Marathon close on 14 November 2026. Prospective participants are advised to register promptly given the approaching deadline.
What makes the Puri Coastal Marathon route unique?
The course combines road running with an exclusive 5K stretch on beach sand, a crossing of the Nuanai River, and a route through the landscape around the Blackbuck Sanctuary — a combination not offered by any other sanctioned marathon in India, according to the organisers.
Who are the notable ambassadors and supporters of the Puri Coastal Marathon?
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, Olympian Anuradha Biswal, para-athlete Suchitra Parida, and former weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar are among the sporting supporters. Bollywood figures including Ajay Devgn, Rajkummar Rao, and Kapil Sharma, along with fitness advocates Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar, are also promoting the event.
How does the Puri Coastal Marathon fit into Odisha's broader sports ambitions?
Odisha has increasingly positioned itself as a major sports-hosting destination, having backed international hockey events and sports infrastructure in recent years. The Puri Coastal Marathon extends that strategy into the running tourism segment, aiming to attract both domestic and international athletes to the state.
