The IndianOil WNC [Western Naval Command] Navy Half Marathon over the years has become something of a household name in Mumbai’s running community. The race, which began in 2016 as part of the Indian Navy Day, has grown to become one of the largest half marathon races in the country, let alone Mumbai. One way the event stands out is with the presence of the naval forces, from managing the waves to handing out the medals at the finish. I will be disappointed to not spot navy choppers flying around, cheering runners, a sight that has become a standard.
From a runners point of view, with long stretches shared with the iconic Tata Mumbai Marathon course, this race doubles up as a perfect tune‑up and dress rehearsal for your January goals next year.
The race organizers in the past have collaborated with the Western Railway and the Central Railway to run special services in the Western Line, the Central Line, and the Harbour Line. One can use these services to get down at CSMT or Churchgate, and walk towards the Azad Maidan, the assembly point. The 2025 race would be the first edition with the Mumbai Metro Line 3 being fully functional, and so we aren’t sure about special services, if any. Stay tuned..
The course has seen quite a few changes since the inception. The inaugural edition was run in the CBD of Bandra-Kurla Complex, and this was the case until the 2018 edition, my first run, until they moved to South Mumbai in 2019, running through the Ballard Estate and P’Dmello Road (CSMT back-road).
The race was back in 2022 after short hiatus during COVID, with the complete stretch of Marine Drive, Peddar Road, and Worli until Atria Mall. The 2023 and 2024 races were held in different sections of South Mumbai, with the start and finish at the OCS Chowk (fondly the finish line of the Tata Mumbai Marathon since 2023). The 2024 and 2025 courses are the same, and having missed the 2024 edition, I decided to run this course myself last week for this preview.
November weather in Mumbai is decently pleasant, humidity is low and the temperature is a minimum of 24 degrees to a high of 31 degrees. The course is an out-and-back course, meaning you will follow the same course on return with a U-turn at the halfway mark. So let’s go, I mean let’s run!
Here is a bird’s eye view of the course: An out‑and‑back half marathon from OCS Chowk through South Mumbai’s heritage precincts, tackling Peddar Road and Haji Ali before turning at Worli Sea Face and racing back.
Remember that the start point of any prominent race will always feel chaotic. There will be start waves, the roads are wide, but the adrenaline rush here is something we cannot take out of runners. The race begins at OCS Chowk and approaches southwards towards the Oval Maidan loop, with the iconic Bombay High Court and the Rajabai Clock Tower on your left. The first right curve marks the 1st KM, and by the time you exit the loop and reach the Churchgate station, you are around the 2nd KM mark.
You’ll be tempted to take left here towards Marine Drive (and honestly who wouldn’t?), but the route continues straight on the Maharashi Karve Road, with the globally recognised Art Deco ensemble framing the visual identity of this part of the city, parallel to the Western Railway Line. This brings with it a character of its own, so stay excited.
The roads are narrow as we run through old Mumbai, but by this time, the crowd will be spread out, so use this stretch to settle in and get into your zone.
Marine Lines station and Charni Road station will be on your left a little ahead of 3.5KMs and 4.5KMs respectively. On your right would be the Saifee Hospital, with its distinctive domes, arches, and glass facades. The end of this road brings you to the 5K mark, where the 10K runners will take a U-turn.
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Route Map
You will turn left and cross the Warerkar Bridge, the same stretch that comes alive during Ganesh Visarjan on the way to Girgaon Chowpatty. The climb and decline are very short and subtle, so just hold your momentum and glide through. You immediately turn right on the NS Patkar Road, and this stretch will take you to the Kemps Corner Flyover (6K). Yes, you got it right. You are now in familiar territory. The northbound Peddar Road climb from here is gentler, so relax and stay focused. Keep in mind that you will be coming back on the same route, so take note of what to expect on return. Once you are on the top of the Peddar Road, at about the 7K mark, use the decline to get back to the rhythm (but avoid over-pushing or over-exerting), something I try to hold on to for a significant portion of the race, which in this case is until you get back to the climb. Trayambakeshwar Temple and Mahalakshmi Temple are on your left once you get down, and Haji Ali at the 8K mark. Hold on. You’ll need blessings on your return.
The route is flat from here, and the newer Coastal Road will amaze you, even if you are regular on this route. Keep your composition and posture intact as you connect to the Dr Annie Besant road, and then take left towards the Worli Sea Face. About 800 from here this junction is the Worli Dairy, the halfway point, and you’ll take a U-turn here. Phew! Pat yourself. You are halfway done.
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We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of IndianOil Corporation Limited for this article.
Since this is an out-and-back race, you’ll follow the same course, and you won’t regret it. It’s time you see a lot of familiar faces running towards the U-turn. Expect or give some shout-outs to your friends. They do wonders when the rhythm starts slipping.
You will take the right, back to Dr Annie Besant Road, and then back, approaching Haji Ali. The Nehru Planetarium, NSCI Dome, and Mahalakshmi Race Course are on your left. This stretch can feel slightly windy, so stay relaxed and just hold your pace. Because… you know what’s coming!
Elevations
| KM | Gain | Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | 8 | 2 |
| 7 | 23 | 3 |
| 8 | 0 | 26 |
| 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | 2 | 2 |
| 11 | 3 | 3 |
| 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 13 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | 24 | 1 |
| 15 | 7 | 14 |
| 16 | 16 | 1 |
| 17 | 3 | 5 |
| 18 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 | 2 | 1 |
| 20 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | 2 | 3 |
| 21.1 | 0 | 0 |
As you approach the Haji Ali Junction with the Mahalaxmi Temple ahead, take a breath, and maybe even a small prayer, because the southbound Peddar Road climb is up next. It is short, but a touch steeper, which feels punchier on the way back. Increase your cadence, and shorten your strides here. Once you pass Jaslok Hospital, you’ve basically conquered the beast. That’s roughly the 14K mark. Take the downhill to get back to the rhythm, and it’s time to loosen your shoulders. Kemps Corner Flyover is the last bump, but you will get over it in a few strides. You take left towards the Warerkar Bridge, with a very short and subtle incline/decline here.
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You will take a sharp right to return to Maharashi Karve Road. The half marathon runners will merge with 10K runners here, with both chasing the last 5K to finish, so be watchful. The race will now feel like the final overs of a chase. A SIX would be a fantastic way to claim the victory, right? Aah yes, the iconic Wankhede Stadium will be on your right at the 18.5K mark. The course has its own personality, as I said earlier.
It’s a home run from here, with a loop around Oval Maidan, and the finish line visible from a distance. It is just you, you, your strides, and the line.
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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 OCS Chowk 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.
PACING THE RACE
Given the course elevation profile, a steady pace is probably the best. We’ve put together a pace calculator based on the race elevation profile. You can use the calculator to arrive at the kilometer wise split paces based on your goal time.
Check out the pacing calculator here
Here is the link to GPX file if you prefer to analyze the course on your own.
Happy Racing to all the participants!!!
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.