Kesete, Kiplangat Lead Stacked Men’s Field At Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026
The Tata Mumbai Marathon, now in its 21st year, is set to deliver one of its strongest editions yet. With eight men and six women arriving with personal bests faster than the current course records, the race on Sunday, January 18, promises a battle against the clock as much as against each other.
The event records of 2:07:32 by Ethiopia’s Hayle Lemi Berhanu and 2:24:15 by Anchialem Haymanot, both set in 2023 are under serious threat.
The race, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, offers a prize purse of US$390,238, with US$50,000, US$25,000 and US$15,000 for the top three finishers in both categories.
An additional US$15,000 is reserved for anyone who breaks the course record.
Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete, runner-up last year, returns as a favourite but faces a stacked field. Uganda’s world champion Victor Kiplangat, South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka, and Ethiopians Bazezew Asmare and Tadu Abate Deme headline the challengers. Tesfaye Demeke, third last year, is also back.
Asmare boasts the fastest personal best in the field, 2:04:57 from the Amsterdam Marathon in 2020. Kiplangat (2:05:09), Deme (2:05:38), Debela (2:05:46) and Kelkile Gezahegn (2:05:56) all have sub-2:06 times, underscoring the depth of the men’s line-up. Kesete’s best is 2:06:36, but his tactical racing could prove decisive.
Medina Deme Armino, third last year, will look to improve her placing in a field dominated by Ethiopian runners. Zinah Senbeta (2:21:05), Yeshi Chekole (2:21:17), and Shure Demise, whose 2:20:59 in Dubai remains the world junior best, are among the top contenders.
Senbeta’s Mumbai debut came in 2022, when she finished seventh, while Chekole arrives in strong form after a podium finish in Incheon late last year. Demise, though yet to replicate her 2015 breakthrough, remains the fastest on paper.
