Sri Vijaya Puram is set to witness one of its largest sporting and awareness-driven public events as the Andaman Nicobar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ANCCI) prepares to organise the 10th edition of the Andaman Marathon on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The annual marathon, which has grown steadily over the past decade, is being held in association with the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and aims to place the islands prominently on the global tourism and wellness map while promoting a healthy lifestyle among residents.
This year’s marathon carries the theme “Run for Nature,” focusing on environmental consciousness and urging islanders to keep the fragile ecosystem of the Andaman Islands clean. Since its inception, the Andaman Marathon has evolved from a local initiative into a nationally and internationally recognised event, attracting participants from across India and abroad, while maintaining a strong emphasis on local participation and community involvement.
The marathon will be flagged off from the historic Cellular Jail at 5.15 am, symbolically linking the event to one of the most iconic landmarks of the islands. The prize distribution ceremony is scheduled to be held at 7.30 am at Netaji Stadium. Organisers said preparations for the event are in full swing, with arrangements being made for route management, safety, hydration points, medical assistance, and crowd coordination.
More than 2,000 participants are expected to take part this year across multiple categories designed to include professional runners, senior citizens, youth, children, and recreational participants. The event comprises three main race distances and five competitive categories, with separate prizes for male and female runners.
The Half Marathon (21 km) is open to all participants above 18 years of age, though prize money is restricted to Indian nationals. The top three finishers in both men’s and women’s categories will receive cash awards, with the first prize set at ₹1,00,000, followed by ₹60,000 for second place and ₹40,000 for third place.
The 10 km Open category is exclusively for islanders and is open to both men and women. Winners in this category will receive ₹50,000 for first place, ₹30,000 for second, and ₹20,000 for third. A separate 10 km Seniors category has been created for men aged above 50 years and women above 40 years, also restricted to islanders, with similar prize structures.
Encouraging youth participation, the marathon includes a 10 km category for boys and girls in the 14–17 age group, as well as a 2 km race for children aged 10–14 years. These categories carry cash awards ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹40,000, aimed at motivating young islanders to adopt fitness and sports at an early age.
In addition to the competitive races, the event will feature a one-and-a-half-kilometre “Run for Fun,” open to all, starting from Cellular Jail and concluding at Netaji Stadium. This segment is designed to encourage participation from families, senior citizens, and casual runners, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the marathon.
The total prize money for Andaman Marathon 2026 stands at ₹10,05,000, with ₹5,02,500 allocated each for male and female participants. Organisers clarified that prize money eligibility is restricted to Indian nationals and islanders, in line with the objective of promoting local sporting talent.
Registration for all events is currently underway and can be completed online or directly at the ANCCI office. Organisers have also announced that noted actor and sports enthusiast Rahul Bose will serve as the brand ambassador for the event. He is expected to be joined by Esow Elben, a prominent Indian cyclist who was ranked world number one in the junior category in 2018–19 and currently competes at the elite national level, and Rajina Kiro, an accomplished Indian kayaking athlete and Asian Games bronze medallist, who is now coaching the national team. All three are expected to participate in the flag-off ceremony as well as the prize distribution function.
Detailed route maps have been finalised for each race category, covering major landmarks and neighbourhoods across Sri Vijaya Puram, including Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Phoenix Bay, Junglighat, Delanipur, Mohanpura, Marina Park, and other prominent locations, before culminating at Netaji Stadium.
ANCCI has appealed to residents of Sri Vijaya Puram to extend their support and cooperation to ensure the smooth conduct and grand success of the 10th Andaman Marathon, underlining that the event is not just a race, but a collective statement on fitness, environmental responsibility, and the growing sporting culture of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
