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, and 5km run on offer.
Weather
February temperature is the ideal that any Indian marathon can offer. Except for slower marathon runners (beyond 4:30 hours), most will not find the temperature an issue.
Start Point:
The marathon starts at 4:05 am, and the half-marathon starts at 4:15 am; the reporting time is at 3:45 am. 10K/5K start later
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” at Nyay Mandir, 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 - Half Marathon runners will take a “right” while the marathon runners will go straight towards “Sunpharma Road.”
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 |
The full marathon runners go straight from Akshar Chowk towards Sunpharma 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)
In this segment, there is no major elevation and just one “U” at ~19.3kms. Overall, an uneventful segment with mental conversation.
Runners will proceed up to Vasna Road, touch the Vasna Road (petrol station), and take a “U” turn at ~22nd km. They will then return along the same route to Sunpharma, Akshar Chowk, and turn left onto Old Padra Road. By now, the sun will be in its full glory, the hydration game should be in its top notch, and gels are your savior. Keep the pace in control as the race is just getting started, and your best friend, “self-doubt,” has not yet taken control of your mind. Here you can find some crowd cheering as morning walkers are also starting with the 10K steps.
Trivia
Sunpharma Road - You are running past the headquarters of India’s largest pharmaceutical company. Vadodara isn’t just a cultural capital; it produces a massive share of the world’s generic medicine.
This route will keep the runners busy with the “new” Vadodara, of cafes, restaurants, and an entertainment zone. It is a good road to start amping up the pace. After this segment, you will start looking to get done with the race asap.
The crucial phase to reap results. You will face just one “U” turn before completing the 34th km.
This is a straight route, with no elevation. This is your time to set the stage ablaze, with confidence and consistency, rule the route, pace it wisely. There is one last flyover in the last km and then you see your finish line at Navlakhi Ground.
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.