Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026: Ankita Dhyani, Shailesh Kushwaha Win Indian Elite Titles

Ankita Dhyani delivered a standout performance at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026, clocking 1:12:46 to win the Indian elite women’s title, while 20-year-old debutant Shailesh Kushwaha topped the Indian elite men’s field in 1:05:05. 

The event also witnessed record-breaking performances in the international elite races, with Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu Keneni winning the women’s title and Kenya’s Charles Mbatha Matata setting a new course record in the men’s race. Dhyani’s victory marked her maiden Indian elite women’s title at the Delhi Half Marathon. Her performance also continued her positive form following the Asian Games 2026 and moved her to seventh on the Indian all-time half marathon list.

The results offered a significant boost to Indian distance running, with personal bests recorded by the top four finishers in the Indian elite women’s category.

Dhyani crossed the finish line in 1:12:46 to secure the top position among Indian elite women. The performance combined a major race victory with a place among the country’s leading half marathon runners historically.

Her progression to seventh on the Indian all-time list underlined the significance of the timing. Coming after her participation in the Asian Games 2026, the result also provided evidence of her continued progress in distance running.

Soniya finished second among Indian elite women in 1:14:56, followed by Bhagirathi in 1:15:51. Lili Das placed fourth in 1:16:20, while Priti Lamba and Sonika finished fifth and sixth in 1:16:40 and 1:16:41, respectively.

The narrow margins among the runners further highlighted the competitiveness of the domestic field. Lamba finished just one second behind Das, while Sonika was only one second behind Lamba. The personal bests recorded by the top four athletes added further value to the result, suggesting that the race provided favourable conditions for Indian runners to improve their performances.

For Dhyani, however, the headline achievement was the title itself. Winning her first Indian elite women’s crown at the event represents an important milestone, while her time of 1:12:46 strengthens her standing among India’s leading half marathon runners.

Shailesh Kushwaha announces himself with victory

In the Indian elite men’s race, 20-year-old Shailesh Kushwaha claimed gold in 1:05:05 on his debut at the event. His victory continued an impressive rise and established him as one of the notable performers in the domestic competition. Kushwaha finished six seconds ahead of Gaurav Mathur, who clocked 1:05:11 to take second place. Hemant Singh secured third in 1:05:37, followed by Lovepreet Singh in 1:06:43.

Dharmender finished fifth in 1:06:51, while Pradeep Chaudhary completed the top six in 1:06:55.

The men's domestic race was particularly competitive at the front. Kushwaha’s six-second advantage over Mathur meant that the top two remained separated by a relatively small margin, while Hemant Singh finished 26 seconds behind the winner.

At just 20, Kushwaha’s victory was a notable result in a field featuring established domestic runners. Winning on debut gives the young athlete a strong platform as he continues to develop in long-distance road racing.

The international competitions added further significance to the event, with both winners producing impressive performances. Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu Keneni won the elite women’s race in a provisional time of 1:06:35. Kenya’s Selah Businei finished second, while compatriot Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony took third place.

In the elite men’s race, Charles Mbatha Matata of Kenya delivered the performance of the day, winning in 58:52 and establishing a new course record. His wire-to-wire victory made him the fastest finisher in the event’s history on the course.

Samuel Niamay Milu finished second in 59:24, while Stanley Buru secured third place.

Matata’s time of 58:52 was 32 seconds faster than Milu’s finishing time, reflecting his commanding position at the front of the international men’s field. The new course record also provided a major highlight for the event.

The 2026 edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon produced encouraging outcomes across the domestic races. Dhyani’s victory and all-time ranking improvement, alongside Kushwaha’s debut triumph, offered two distinct stories of progress in Indian distance running.

The personal bests among the leading Indian women and the close competition in the men’s domestic field further demonstrated the depth of the races.

While the international elite competitions delivered the headline course record through Matata, the domestic results were equally important for Indian athletics. Dhyani continued her upward trajectory after the Asian Games, and Kushwaha used his debut to claim a major victory.

Together, their performances made the Delhi Half Marathon a significant occasion for Indian road running, with both athletes leaving the event with important milestones and momentum for their future competitions.