Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2024 Route Preview

Third Sunday of the month is marked and rehearsed for (including tapering weeks) by a lot of marathoners by now. The apprehension of the Peddar road elevation, humidity, flurry of construction, AQI, temperatures, has been spoken, internalized and bickered about. Trust me, you hate it, you love it but you never ignore the “Tata Mumbai Marathon”.

This year there is are no major changes in the route (except half-marathon), and it continues to have all the Mumbai’s old world charm; the marathon starts from Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus whereas the Half-Marathon starts from Reti Bandar/Mahim Dargah Urus Ground, which is right next to the Mahim Church junction. Both races run past Bandra-Worli Sea-link, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Haji Ali, Mahalakshmi Temple, Peddar Road, Babulnath Temple, Girgaon Chowpatty, Marine Drive, Wankhede Stadium, and eventually end at Azad Maidan.

January weather can be tricky in Mumbai, especially for runners coming from other parts of India. Humidity can make the latter part of the run difficult, but cheers from the crowd will compensate for it. This year, weeks leading upto the marathon has seen unusual weather patterns with temperatures touching 35°c. Thankfully the weather gods getting kinder to the runners, and this week we are seeing drop in the temperatures with colder winds from North. On the race day the temperature is expected to be a minimum of 20°c and max of 30°c, with 44% humidity. While not an ideal race day weather like what we’ve seen 2020, but not bad by usual Mumbai standards.

I fall short of words when Mumbai’s crowd support comes into play, they are with us, at every stride we take and never let us second guess “why” we are running. The Mumbai spirit is here at play, they are out with hydration, fruits and lots of cheer. The atmosphere in the second half of the race is electric with music and dances starting from Peddar Road and all the way to Marine Drive. Now that you have a fair idea of the Mumbai vibe, let’s get going with the route.

Marathon Route

Start Point

This is the most awaited race and for runners, running for the first time you might get overwhelmed with the sheer numbers, but again this is Mumbai, you will find your solitude in the thick of the crowd. Rest assured there is ample space at the holding area of Azad Maidan to warm up. Start point is well equipped with different corrales marked, so no sweat.

#1 CSMT through Girgaon Chowpatty (First 9 kms):

The race starts right outside the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The historic vibe of the city starts right there. Nervousness, heart beats, hands on watch to start, and focus on the run will push the adrenaline high. You start the run through some more iconic landmarks like the Flora Fountain, Hutatma Chowk Memorial, and then you go towards the Oval Maidan, reach Church Gate station, Brabourne Stadium, enter Marine Drive towards the Air India building, enjoy the vastness of the sea, reflect and breathe easy, the race is yet to begin :). Then take a loop at Nariman point and come out at the tip of Nariman Point. This will complete your first 5 kms.

From here continue the usual route, the flat course will extend till 5 kms up to Babulnath Temple. Enjoy the vastness of Marine Drive, also known as the Queen’s Necklace. Feel the nip in the air while it lasts. This is also a good time for your first hydration pit-stop. On your left will be the Girgaon Chowpatty beach and the newly built view deck. Tread caution from KM 6 to 8 early in the morning since the road is little patchy.

#2 Peddar Road through Haji Ali (10th - 12th kms): You will turn right for Babulnath Temple in your 10th km towards Peddar Road. The 10th and 11th km have quite a bit of elevation. You will see a glimpse of what the route has to offer, and one thing to keep in mind is you will also come back on the same route and you will experience this elevation again around 36th kilometer. Take it easy, slow down, get some hydration and conserve your energy. The 13th kilometer is downhill towards Haji Ali; you will get the urge to speed up, this totally depends on your practice. For experienced runners go for a better pace all the way till Sea Link, however for first time runners check on your pace, as you have 30 more kilometers coming up.

#3 Race Course through Sea Link (13th to 20th kms): The 13th km passes through the race course, leading to the Nehru Planetarium, Worli Dairy (the erstwhile HM start point), the Worli Sea Face, from where you’ll enter the Sea Link. You will cross a wave of half marathoners on the right, who would have completed their stretch of Sea Link and would be running their second half of the race. Look out for your friends running the HM race and wave out to them.

You’ll feel a gradual elevation once you get into the sea-link. It’s a dream run, the real one. The view of the tall cables and the sound of the waves will keep you mesmerized. You will find good hydration here and be careful of the water spillage from the previous runners at the Sea Link. Be prepared for a good camera pose since you’ll meet a lot of photographers here.

But remember you might to pace carefully, as there will be headwind from north on sea-link. Join a pack and draft responsibly by taking turns to leading the pack.

#4 Bandra Worli Sea Link to Mahim Church (21st to 26th kms ): Once you exit the sea-link, there is an extra loop with a couple of U-turns before you finally head towards the Mahim Church. Most runners will see the day breaking here. You’ll be running through the uber cool promenade, overlooking the Mumbai skyline, it is quite poetic on a normal day, when adrenaline is not as high as on race day :).

#5 Mahim Church to Worli Dairy (27th to 34th Km): By now the sun will be up, bring in all your training, mind muscle connection and mental focus to play. This is a beautiful route with tree cover passing through Shivaji Park, Siddhivinayak Temple (say a little prayer to enjoy the rest of the route) all the way till Worli Dairy. You’ll reach Worli seaface once again crossing the Century Bazaar and the Podar Hospital. Remember the make-or-break INS Trata loop at the Worli seaface? That’s gone for good. :) Instead you’ll take a short loop at Worli Naka before reaching the Atria Mall.

#6 Worli Naka to Babulnath Temple (35th to 38th Km ):

There comes a moment in almost every endurance race when we ask ourselves, “why am I doing this?” It’s our mind’s way of checking in with our soul to determine whether continuing to push toward the finish line is worth our present suffering, not to mention the pain to come. But don’t worry the crowd support will help you sail through the 36th km of the famous Peddar Road climb (here GeeksOnFeet is saying a little prayer for each one of you); stop by have some fruits, biscuits and wave back to the crowd. Then it’s a downhill at 37th & 38th km, put your best as you are closing towards the finish line.

#7 Chowpatty to finish line (39th to 42nd km):

Now is a test of your patience, every inch of your body will misbehave, it will try to trick you in ways you never thought but you know what they say, “Your body will do what your mind says”, play it in your favor. You cross the Wankhede stadium around the 41st KM. Just remember the Maxwell’s unbelievable knock against Afghanistan in this very stadium on your left. It is something every runner can derive inspiration from. That knock was a masterclass on how to keep going when everything around you is crumbling. He kept cramping and finally there came a point where he could not even run any more it was the hands and that head that did all that needed to be done after that! Know why you are in the fight to stay in the fight!

Remember this is a flat part of the course and the sun is generously shining. The music bands at Marine Drive will be cheering you, think of all the Long Practice Runs, smile and carry on.

Half Marathon Route

This time the Half-marathon participants will start off from Mahim Dargah ground, and complete their first 10km at Worli dairy, from then on join the same route as the Marathon participants.

#1 Mahim Dargah to Worli Dairy (First Half)

Half marathoners can paint a picture about the route, only if you can wander your eyes around. This is one of my favorite routes in Mumbai.

You will start from Mahim Dargah towards Mumbai Promenade, which will be on your left after crossing the Mahim Causeway. The sea, fishing boats, and skyscrapers await you. You will take left onto the Western Expressway towards Sea Link. There a change big change here for good, unlike last year, you will avoid the narrow underpass, the serpentine loops, and sharp climbs around Bandra Reclamation Park. Instead, you head straight towards the Sea Link toll gate.

Enjoy the cool breeze and vastness of the city while it lasts. You will complete 3 kms by the time you reach the Sea Link. Be careful of the water spillage from the runners who would have crossed this area. Thankfully, you will have tail winds to help you on sea link. Keep yourself hydrated, stay calm, and get the best out of the sea link.

You will get out of the Sea Link and turn left before taking a “U” at INS Trata towards Worli Dairy. Here is another important change in the route this time. Before you reach Worli dairy, at Koli Manus & Bai Statue junction, you will take left onto RG Thadani Marg. 400 meters into this road you take another sharp left onto Dr Annie Besant Road before you take a ‘u’ turn at Doordarshan Kendra, and trace all the way back to Koli Manus & Bai Statue, and then continue your way to Worli dairy.

#2 Worli Dairy to Finish line (Second Half)

(This is the same segments #6 and #7 from the marathon route)

You will take left once again as you exit the Worli seaface road, towards Worli Naka. The u-turn at Worli Naka will take you to the Atria Mall, from where the traditional route starts towards the finish line. This is also the segment where you’ll start seeing waves of marathon runners. Cheer for them and give a shout out to your friends. They need it and it counts. Once you reach Haji Ali, which is 13km onwards is where you’ll notice an elevation. Yes, you got it. The Peddar Road elevation. Increase your cadence and shorten your strides, the crowd support will take care of your emotions. It’s just a matter of time before we approach the decline towards Kemps Corner. Stay calm and focused. Issuing a caution for water spillage when you run downhill. You take a right, reach Babulnath Temple and immediately left, and yes, Girgaon Chowpatty Marine Drive segment it is.

You cross the Wankhede stadium around the 20th KM. Just remember the Maxwell’s unbelievable knock against Afghanistan in this very stadium on your left. It is something every runner can derive inspiration from. That knock was a masterclass on how to keep going when everything around you is crumbling. He kept cramping and finally there came a point where he could not even run any more it was the hands and that head that did all that needed to be done after that! Know why you are in the fight to stay in the fight! Remember this is a flat part of the course. The music bands at Marine Drive will be cheering you, think of all the Long Practice Runs, smile and carry on.

Finish at Azad Maidan: Alright, this is the time for the photographers to take your finish line pics, so get ready for it. Sprint through the finish line at Bombay Gymkhana, enter Azad Maidan and make it a good one! Remember, what happens on race day stays there and you move on to the next one.

The finish line is where your emotions will change from why am I doing this to let’s do it again.

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Aditi Pandya is a life long athlete. She was born to run and play sports. Aditi is the co-founder of geeksonfeet.com. She blogs on NarrativesByMe.com and can be reached on Insta at narrativesbyme.

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Contributions from:

Route Analysis and on the ground validation:

Karthik is a business analyst by profession and a long-time volunteer contributor to Wikipedia. Apart from his enthusiasm for running and photography, advancements in mobile & wearables technology are of utmost interest to him. He is co-founder of Mumbai-based Tilaknagar Running Club.

Elevation and route map illustrations:

Aravind is a techie, running geek, and a marathoner. He loves all things technology and technology in running, with special interest in running form analysis.

Additional Inputs:

Kartik Iyer is a conversationalist, running geek, techie, marathoner, miles to go CrossFit junkie and bathroom Carnatic vocalist. He loves striking random conversations with people just about anywhere, music and anything to do with tech and fitness, in no particular order. He can be reached at @kartikiyer2007 on Insta and on Strava

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