Is Running Becoming India’s New National Hobby?

While pickleball offers a low-barrier, social snack of exercise with roughly 50,000 active players in India as of 2024, marathon running has evolved from a niche athletic pursuit into a massive cultural movement. Part of this mass appeal lies in its simplicity. Unlike sports that require expensive equipment or specialised courts, running doesn't require anything but a pair of shoes, and a growing community of barefoot runners in India is proving that even footwear is optional.

What's driving this movement?

Abhinav Ramesh, a 25-year-old motion designer from Kochi who runs 10K multiple times a week, says it is wild how much the marathon scene in India has exploded.

“Having started running as a serious habit in 2021, right after COVID, I have seen the scene change significantly from having to run alone to having multiple run clubs.” -Abhinav Ramesh

Once a symbol reserved for elite athletes and military training, invoking the legendary grit of Milkha Singh, distance running has become the ultimate badge of discipline.

In the 2013 film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, we see the "Flying Sikh" running to outrun his past and redefine his future. 

Today, millions of Indians are lacing up to chase a similar sense of personal transformation to prove that the spirit of the track has moved from the stadium to the streets.

The word "marathon" itself carries a weight of heroic sacrifice.

It originates from the ancient Greek town of Marathon, where, legend has it, a messenger named Pheidippides ran approximately 40 km to Athens in 490 BCE to announce a military victory over the Persians. 

His race was defined by purpose and grit, a legend that lives on every time a modern runner hits the 30 km "wall" and decides to keep going.

However, as the culture expands, purists argue that the terminology matters.

Prathima D, a 36-year-old Product Manager from Bengaluru, notes, “The most disappointing thing about the marathon culture recently is the misinterpretation of the term itself.”

She insists that by definition, a Marathon is 42.195 km or 26.2 miles worldwide.

It is a sentiment echoed by Tanvi Ajantiwalay, a materials scientist based in Washington State with roots in Indian running.

For veteran runners like Tanvi, the distinction between a "fun run" and the endurance required for the full 42.195 km is vital.

In India, this marathon (terminology) mindset is skyrocketing: starting with 5K, 10K and so on.

In 2004, there were piffling registration numbers estimated at just 10,000 runners nationwide. Today, that number has made a monumental leap to approximately 2.5 million annual participants, according to reports by The Print.

This multifold increase mirrors India’s broader transformation. It reflects rising health awareness, increased disposable income, and an aspirational lifestyle that values "experiences" over passive entertainment.

Marathons have become the new status symbols or markers of a person’s ability to master their own schedule and body.

Abhinav observes that marathons are no longer just about marathons happening for a day, as they now have training routines that were started over 4 months ago.

Tanvi points out that even celebrities are now driving the conviction needed for marathons. However, she notes a gap in the conversation.

"While there is awareness about running, I believe there should be equal weightage given to nutrition during the event. No Fruity and biscuits, please!" -Tanvi Ajantiwalay

Fitness Tourism is becoming a thing

One popular Mumbai Marathon stands as the crown jewel of this movement. Since its inception in 2004 with 22,000 participants, it has grown to over 59,000 runners in its 2024 edition. 

These events have also birthed a "fitness tourism" trend.

Beyond spectacular views, runners are visiting Ladakh for the Khardung La Challenge, a 72 km race often called the world’s highest ultramarathon, reaching altitudes of 17,618 feet.

This boom is fueled by a palpable sense of community, built through WhatsApp training groups, early morning club meetups, and apps which, in addition to finding dates or running partners, provide the digital dopamine hit of sharing a heatmap.

For corporate professionals like Prathima, these groups are the antidote to a solitary week. She mentions that she enjoys running long hours by herself on weekends, but during the weekdays, when time is limited, she loves the community runs.

“You wake up as early as 4 a.m., jump out of bed, and arrive at a bunch of suspiciously high-energy people who look awake.” -Prathima D

The ritual is specific as groups greet each other, follow colour-coded outfit plans, and check route maps shared the night before.

Prathima notes that within the first kilometre, you realise group runs are basically moving therapy disguised as cardio.

Someone is always asking about the next event or commenting on the lovely weather, but the magic is that you keep going.

But why do people pay to run?

Registration fees for major races can range from ₹1,000 to over ₹4,000, yet every major event sells out within hours. This "pay-to-play" model creates a psychological investment.

Once the money is gone, the commitment is solidified. Beyond personal gain, these events are engines for social change.

A famous marathon alone has helped NGOs raise over ₹483 crore since its inception, proving that the sweat of the masses can fund real-world solutions.

Inclusion is also reaching an all-time high. Milind Soman’s initiative, India’s largest women’s run, has reached over 500,000 women since 2012, highlighting breast cancer awareness and the right to public space.

As Sohini Chattopadhyay explores in her book 'The Day I Became a Runner', for many Indian women, the act of running in public is a radical claim to freedom and a seat at the table of national health.

However, the road to total inclusivity still has hurdles. Tanvi recalls an experience in Nagpur in 2022 where gender categories restricted participation in specific distances. 

For her, true inclusivity means moving beyond gender-defined roles entirely. She argues that pace as a classification is a better thing when it comes to shortlisting rather than gender-defined sections.

Ultimately, the marathon boom is both a health trend and a profound social shift.

While pickleball might be the fun new hobby for a quick weekend match, the marathon remains India’s true test of character. It is our collective "Milkha moment" as a pursuit where the goal is to prove that we have the stamina to keep pace with a changing nation.

Whether you are sprinting for a cause, running away from a problem, battling an existential dread, chasing a PB (Personal Best), or seeking a clearer mind, the road is open for yours to be taken.

Authored by Shalaka Kulkarni, an award-winning author, founder of Write Click, and TEDx speaker based in Bengaluru, India. Her work sits at the intersection of culture and technology, telling stories that distil the pulse of everyday lives into sharp, soul-stirring narratives.

Views expressed by the author are their own.