Route Update - Jan 6, 2022
For route preview of Tata Mumbai Marathon 2023, check out our recent post.
Route Update - Nov 4, 2022
There is a potential change in the Half-marathon start point & route for Tata Mumbai Marathon 2023. Once we have official confirmation, we will update and publish a new post. Please consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter for timely update.
Third Sunday of January is a date marked in every runner’s calendar. First timers wait for their name to qualify for Mumbai Marathon (Mecca of runners) and for the seasoned runners it’s where their season ends.
This year, Mumbai Marathon enters its 17th year; 2019 witnessed 6800 Marathoners & 13000 half marathoners. The route takes you through Mumbai’s old world charm; full marathon starts from Victoria Terminus whereas half marathon starts from Worli dairy. Both races run past Sealink, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Haji Ali, Peddar road, Babulnath temple, Chowpatty and the race ends at Azad Maidan.
January weather can be tricky in Mumbai, especially for runners coming from other parts of India. Humidity, can make the second half sultry and itchy, which definitely gets compensated by the crowd support.
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. Mumbai spirit, is here in 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 at Chowpatty. Now that you have a fair idea of the Mumbai vibe, let’s get on with the route.
Click here to see interactive version of the map with elevations. Click or touch the route path to see the elevations (net elevation, elevation gain & loss, average & peak grade).
.Click here for half marathon routemap
Start Point If you are running for the first time you might get overwhelmed with the sheer number of runners, again this is Mumbai meri jaan.. Iss bheed mai bhi tum ekele ho :) thus there is ample space at the holding area of Azad Maidan to warm up. Start point is well equipped with different corrales marked, thus no sweat.
First 8kms from VT through Chowpatty: This stretch is completely flat. Your first 2 kms will be around - CST, Mumbai High Court and Oval Maidan, suggest you go steady and bring in your rhythm. 3rd kilometer is through Church gate, Brabourne Stadium and you enter Marine Drive towards Air India building, enjoy the vastness of the sea, reflect and breath easy, the race is yet to begin :). You take a “U” turn at 4th km. at Oberoi Hotel on Marine Drive. 5th through the 7th kilometer is on Marine drive, this is also known as the Queen’s necklace and is a flat course. Enjoy the music and the nip in the air while it lasts. It’s a good time for your first hydration. You will turn towards Babulnath temple in your 8th kilometer towards peddar road.
9-11kms are from Peddar road through Haji Ali: 9th & 10th km have quite a bit of elevation, one thing to keep in mind is you will also come back 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. 11th 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 sealink however for first time runners check on your pace, as you have 30 more kilometers coming up.
12-15kms are from Race course through Sea Link: This part of the course is flat as a pancake. The 12th km passes through race course, leading to Nehru center, worli dairy and entering Sealink. Here you will cross the half marathoners who would have completed their stretch of Sealink and coming back towards Haji Ali. Wave out to them, you will find good hydration here and be careful of the water spillage from the previous runners at the Sea Link. Half marathon starts from Worli dairy.
16-19kms is on Bandra Worli Sea Link: You will experience a bit of elevation in your 16th Kilometer. 17th and 18th kilometer elevation continues keep steady and calm, don’t get carried away by the breeze of arabian sea and well maintained roads. 19th km, you will reach towards the end of sea link and it is all downhill, you can bring in some speed here. You will also see the sun rising here. Prepare yourself for what will come next.
20, 21km End of Sea link to Half-way point: Gentle slope as you come out of Sea Link towards Mithi river; you are halfway through the race and experience the sunrise.
22-35kms Mahim to Haji Ali This is a flat stretch with lots of twists and turns. Sun will slowly make the kilometers harder, thus keep a good eye on your hydration. You will experience a lot of twists and turns through 28,29 and 30km. From 31st km onwards you will experience the familiar roads of Worli seaface. This section is the make or break section of the race. How you will handle this section decides how strong you will finish. You will enter race course route at 35th km.
36-38km Peddar Road and Chowpatty Beach: By now you are tired and might even think “why” are you doing this to yourself, don’t worry the crowd support will help you sail through the 36th km of the Peddar road climb; stop by have some fruits, biscuits and wave back to the crowd Then its a downhill at 37 and 38 kms put your best as you are closing to the finish line. These could be your fastest kilometers of the race You will cross Chowpatty with only 4 more kms to go. You will experience lots of music, folk dances and a general high.
39-41km Marine Drive: 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. This is a flat course and the sun is generously shining.
Finish at Azad Maidan Alright, this is a 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.
Click here to see interactive map with elevations. Click or touch the route path to see the elevations (net elevation, elevation gain & loss, average & peak grade).
Aditi Pandya is an avid runner, a writer and a fitness enthusiast. She is second runners up at Airtel Hyderabad Marathon 2019, Vadodara International Marathon 2020 in Women half-marathon open & veteran categories respectively. She blogs on NarrativesByMe.com and can be reached on Insta at narrativesbyme.
Please read our related posts on TMM Route, Weather forecast by clicking here.