GUWAHATI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday (September 10, 2026) launched the Guwahati International Marathon.

About 12,000 people, including top international athletes, are expected to take part in the maiden running event in northeast India’s largest city scheduled for February 7, 2027.

Promoted by PMG Sports LLP, the event with ₹1.25 crore as prize money will feature races across five categories—the full marathon of 42.195 km, the half marathon of 21.097 km, the 10 km, 5 km, and a 1.5 km community run.

“This is more than a marathon—it is a powerful statement of Guwahati’s readiness to emerge as a leading destination for sport, fitness, and sports tourism. It is a landmark initiative that reflects our State’s growing aspirations on the national and global sporting stage,” the Chief Minister said.

Devajit Saikia, the honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said Mr Gavaskar discussed the possibility of Guwahati hosting a major running event during their meeting three months ago. “The Chief Minister gave the go-ahead in June,” he said.

In a symbolic gesture, Mr Gavaskar presented Bib No. 1 to the Chief Minister, marking the latter’s personal endorsement of the event and its vision of turning running into a movement that brings together people across age groups and communities.

“Running has a unique power to bring people together across communities, cultures and every walk of life,” the former cricketer said, underlining the transformation Guwahati has undergone over the years he travelled to the city for cricket-related programmes.

According to the organisers, Australia-based Kim Vivian measured the marathon course, intended to combine the sporting challenge of long-distance running with the visual and cultural character of Guwahati. 

The Assam Tourism Development Corporation will be the State sponsor of the inaugural Guwahati International Marathon, while a northeast-based cement company will be the associate sponsor.