Vadodara Marathon is in its 13th edition, and is scheduled for February 1, 2026. The Vadodara marathon is certified by the Athletic Federation of India (AFI). The race is a Boston Marathon qualifier (as per course standards). Race, the route, and weather are highly favorable for those chasing their personal best. This race has a timed marathon, half-marathon, 10K (9.8km), and 5K (5.65km) run on offer.
Weather
Runners can expect a classic “winter” race day in Gujarat, characterized by a significant temperature swing. You will experience two very different environments: a chilly, dark start and a hot, sunny finish.
The start line conditions will be chilly and dark. Temperatures will be at their lowest for the day, hovering around 14°C to 15°C. So you will feel cold standing in the holding area. However, once you start moving, your body temperature will rise quickly, making this the most comfortable window for running.
The sun will rise at approximately 07:10 AM. As daylight breaks, the temperature will begin a steady climb, moving from the mid-teens toward the low 20s. The air will still feel pleasant, but direct sun exposure will begin to play a factor.
The heat will arrive rapidly during the second half of the morning. By 9:00 AM, the temperature will likely be in the mid-20s, and by 10:30 AM, it will approach 30°C. The air will be relatively dry, meaning sweat will evaporate fast, sometimes masking how much fluid you are losing. If you are a slow runner**,** you must prioritize cooling. Use wet sponges at aid stations and slow your pace if you feel the effects of heat stress.
Start Point:
The marathon starts at 4:10 am, and the half-marathon starts at 4:25 am; the reporting time is at 3:45 am. For 10K, the report is at 5:30 & flag off is at 6:00 AM & for 5.65 km, is 4:45 am for flag off is at 5:15 AM.
The race starts at Navlakhi ground and ends outside of Navlakhi ground. Making it a loop for all runners. The ground is huge and has ample space to warm up. The race organizers arranged a place to keep runners' belongings. The race route runs through the old and the new parts of the city, crossing many historical landmarks and modern architecture. For the first 16.7 kms both the marathon and half marathon route is the same.
The streets are wide & flat, there is a nip in the air, and the city is yet to wake up. Remember, the race is yet to soak in. Hold your pace, get the rhythm & settle in.
You will take your first “right turn” at Kothi Char Rastha, running through Roapura, and glide past Jubilee Baug on your right, & running in the same direction. The first 7kms are mostly flat, and conserving energy is the key; go slower than you feel.
Trivia
Kothi Building, the red brick structure you see was completed in 1922 and is actually modeled after Balmoral Castle in Scotland! It served as the Secretariat of the Baroda State.
That 111-foot Lord Shiva statue near Sursagar Lake, is plated with 17.5 kg of gold.
You will pass Sursagar lake on your right and take a “left” from Padmavati Complex, the architecture reminds you that this city has witnessed centuries of stories (if you are staying longer, do visit this part of the town for its vibrancy and innocence) & you join them through the run. Mandvi Gate and Gendi Gate appear like sentinels of the old city, framing your run through heritage and tradition. By now, you are through with your first 4 kms, more in control of the pace. At the 5th km is the first flyover of “Pratapnagar” its small with an elevation of 7m.
Runners, this is the thick of the old city of Vadodara. During the day, it is bustling with various small and large businesses, narrow lanes, and everyone knows the other person’s business.
Post the flyover, somewhere around 6.5km, you will take a left and go towards Baroda Dairy, ONGC road.
You’re cruising now, leaving the old city behind and moving into longer, calmer stretches. This is a GIDC area, and crowds will be thinning, which is good; this is where you lock into your race pace rhythm. Nutrition check, gels taken, and body checked. Everything should feel smooth.
This may or can have dark & lonely patches. However, for us runners, our conversations in our head have long started, and this will pass in a blip. It’s a smooth, flat route.
Around 8.5 km, there is a “U” turn towards Gurdwara Chowk and Sussen Circle. This is a flat stretch. At the 10th km, runners will take a right towards LalBaugh.
Runners will experience 2 flyovers, the first one is the Lalbaugh flyover, at ~12.7km, which has a steeper & shorter incline. Once you are out of the flyover, it is a flat, vast stretch, and the next flyover is called “Vishwamitri”. This one is gentler than the previous one and also a bit longer, at ~14.8km. Post the flyover, around the ~16th km at Shivaji circle, runners will turn left towards “Akshar Chowk”.
From Akshar Chowk runners will take a “right”.
Trivia
As you cross the Vishwamitri river over the bridge, run faster! The Vishwamitri is the only river in an Indian city home to hundreds of Mugger crocodiles. (Don’t worry, they stay in the water!)
For half-marathoners, this is your final stretch, with the break of dawn and paces checked, start amping up the pace. This is a flat stretch for the next 4 kms. From Akshar Chowk to Diwalipura/Yoga Circle, where HM runners will take their last right turn at the 19th km, from here the finish line is so close yet not seen, as there is a final “Akota Bridge” flyover.
So be watchful not exhaust the tank completely. Keep the missiles blazing, at 20th km is the flyover, and just after that, you see your finish line.
Places to Visit
Runners should definitely visit Kamati Baug for a pre-race shake-out run or a post-race recovery run if staying back for a few days. It has a Zoo, and runners are accompanied by peacocks on any given day on the run route. Maharaja Sayajirao University has the renowned Arts Faculty Campus that boasts its iconic dome, Cricket Ground of Experimental School, and Faculty of Fine Arts. These are some of the notable locations for running.
Half-Marathon Elevations
| KM | Elevation Gain (m) | Elevation Loss (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 7 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | 2 | 0 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | 6 | 2 |
| 14 | 5 | 9 |
| 15 | 4 | 1 |
| 16 | 7 | 9 |
| 17 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | 1 | 0 |
| 19 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | 10 | 9 |
| 21.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 62 | 57 |
Pacing Chart
Given the course has a few bridges and flyovers on the course, a steady pace is probably not ideal. 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.
The full marathon runners will have the company of the HM runners till Diwalipura circle. Marathon runners, be mindful that the HM runners take a right while you will take a left from Diwalipura circle towards Priya Cinema on Bhayali road.
By now, it’s dawn, and the middle of the marathon has commenced. Runners who started a bit faster are rethinking their choices, and those who decided to sign up for the first time are saying a silent prayer. (IYKYK). From the circle, it’s a flat road towards Priya Cinema, it’s a residential area, so you may hear a few cheering voices.
Runners - get your main character energy here. The upside - you are running on the same route, up and back. This is also a bit undulating, which will come back to net zero as the inclines will be decent on the way back.
This is a mix of industrial, residential, and sprouting entertainment zones. Albeit, later. For now, you are holding yourself in 3rd gear before going all out. Also, make sure, you get your fuelling game to the point here. As the race is about to get started.
From Priya Cinema, take a left at Skyone which is around 3.3 kms and then take a right for 1 km and “U” turn, follow the same route till Priya Cinema, and run forward in the same direction towards Sevasi Sindhrot road & back. This will get you 3 more kms.
The crucial phase to reap results. It is a straight road with no turns. This is also a flat road with one last flyover coming in the 42nd km, which is a gentle climb and can be done without a sweat or with sweat all over :)
Runners who have run with precision till now is your time to shine and inch closer to the 5th gear. Remind yourself to engage your core and relax your shoulders. Get in the rhythm and start counting backwards; it’s a physiological advantage. From Diwalipura circle, it will be a final push for 3 kms.
Once you cross the finish line, soak in all the hard work and pat your back, rest is history.
Trivia
Navlakhi Ground is the venue for the start and finish line. The name comes from the Navlakhi Vav (Stepwell) located in the palace compound nearby. Legend says it cost 9 Lakh gold coins to build in the 15th century — a fortune back then!
Marathon Elevations
| KM | E.Gain | E.Loss | KM | E.Gain | E.Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | 7 | 6 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 5 | 9 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | 4 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 1 |
| 16 | 7 | 9 | 37 | 2 | 2 |
| 17 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 8 | 8 |
| 42.2 | 0 | 3 | |||
| Total | 74 | 74 |
Happy Racing to all the participants!!!
Aditi Pandya is a life long athlete. She was born to run and play sports. Aditi is the co-founder of geeksonfeet.com.