MWC Marathon 2026 at Mahindra World City Chennai Draws 4,700+ Runners on AIMS-Certified Course
Large-Scale Running Event Returns to Mahindra World City
Mahindra World City Chennai successfully hosted the 4th edition of the MWC Marathon on Sunday, 22 February 2026, marking the much-anticipated return of the marquee running event. The MWC Marathon 2026 witnessed strong participation of over 4,700 runners across age groups and reaffirmed its position as a professionally curated, world-class running event.
Organised by the MWC Runners Club in collaboration with Mahindra World City Chennai, the event reinforced the integrated township's role as a destination for community engagement and active living.
International Course Certification
A key distinction for this year's edition was the calibre of the course itself. A key highlight of this edition was its AIMS-certified course, accredited by World Athletics, ensuring internationally recognised standards, precise distance measurement, and credibility for competitive runners and enthusiasts alike. The MWC Marathon in the past happened in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (2019's Marathon got rescheduled to 2020 due to the cyclone), with previous editions also maintaining AIMS standards.
Five Race Categories
The marathon featured five race categories – 1 km, 3 km, 5 km, 10 km (timed) and 21.097 km Half Marathon (timed), catering to runners across age groups and fitness levels. The event also included a two-day lifestyle Expo with bib distribution and comprehensive on-ground support, including hydration, medical, and physiotherapy services, ensuring a seamless experience for all participants.
Social Impact and Community Purpose
MWC Marathon 2026 is organised to raise awareness and support for the education and empowerment of the Girl Child through the Nanhi Kali project, which was founded in 1996 by Mr Anand Mahindra to empower underprivileged girls through holistic education.
Developer Perspective
Mr. Vikram Goel, Chief Business Officer – Industrial, Mahindra Lifespaces, said, "The MWC Marathon reflects our commitment to fostering community engagement and promoting health and well-being within Mahindra World City Chennai. Hosting an AIMS-certified race underscores our focus on global standards, precision, and creating meaningful experiences for participants."
About Mahindra World City Chennai
Mahindra World City, Chennai is India's first integrated business city developed under the PPP between Mahindra Group and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO). Mahindra World City, Chennai is spread across 1550 acres and is located on NH32 within the influence zone of Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) & Chennai-Vizag Industrial Corridor (CVIC). The integrated city is a global benchmark in sustainable development and has a Multi-Sector Special Economic Zone spread across 450 acres, a Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) spread across 400 acres and co-located social & residential infrastructure planned in ~280 acres.
Mahindra World City, Chennai is India's first Zero Waste to Landfill integrated city and is an IGBC Platinum rated green township. Paranur railway station is one of its kind, developed under the PPP between Mahindra World City Chennai and Indian Railways that serves 85 EMUs per day. It is the first railway station to be redesigned and maintained by the corporate sector. It was designed by Architect Sheila Sri Prakash and firm Shilpa Architects.
MWC Chennai is already home to over 3000 families, across multi-format residential projects. Beyond residential offerings, leading companies from auto-component, manufacturing, services, and warehousing & logistics like Infosys, Wipro, Renault Nissan, BMW, Force Motors, Husky, Breaks India, B.Braun, BASF, AAM, Armstrong International, Emerson, Fujitech, Freight System, Husky, Lear Corporation, MRV, Nilpeter, Pegatron, Timken, Sundaram Clayton, etc. among others are part of the growing eco-system at Mahindra World City, Chennai.
About Mahindra Lifespace Developers
Established in 1994, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. ('Mahindra Lifespaces') brings the Mahindra Group's philosophy of 'Rise' to India's real estate and infrastructure industry through thriving residential communities and enabling business ecosystems.