Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026: Over 41,000 Runners Set for Race Day as Organisers Outline Extensive Safety Measures

Delhi Metro services to begin at 3:30 am, 450 medical personnel to be deployed, and 850 volunteers to support participants at the October 18 event.

More than 41,000 participants are set to take part in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026, with organisers outlining extensive medical, transport, hydration and sustainability arrangements ahead of race day on Sunday, October 18.

Procam International, promoter of the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, has confirmed preparations for participants across on-ground and virtual categories. The measures include 450 medical personnel, 12 advanced cardiac life support ambulances, additional Delhi Police deployment, dedicated hydration points and early Delhi Metro services to help runners reach Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The announcements were made in New Delhi on October 14, with representatives from Procam International, Metro Group of Hospitals and other stakeholders detailing plans to provide a safe and well-coordinated experience for runners.

As part of the final preparations, minor refinements are being made to the Half Marathon route. The Open 10K will start from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 7:35 am, with a revised route replacing the earlier start from Sansad Marg.

Delhi Police has been coordinating with the organisers for approximately six weeks to prepare for the event. According to Madhurendra Kumar, Traffic Inspector, Defence Colony, the deployment will include around 200 police personnel and 70–80 traffic police personnel to manage security and movement along the course.

The arrangements are intended to support runners while minimising disruption and ensuring smooth movement around the event venues.

Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International, also highlighted the marathon's wider economic contribution. A socio-economic impact study conducted by Miranda House estimated the event's impact on Delhi-NCR at more than ₹400 crore, reflecting spending by participants and accompanying family members on accommodation, hospitality, retail and other local services.

450 Medical Personnel to Support Runners

Medical preparedness remains central to the event's operations, with Metro Group of Hospitals serving as the medical partner for the fifth consecutive year. The medical arrangements include 11 stations along the route, a medical base camp with an intensive care unit setup after the finish line, two stations in the holding area and another in the post-refreshment area. Organisers will also deploy 25 medical spotters, nine medics on bikes, 12 advanced cardiac life support ambulances and three golf carts.

A total of 450 medical staff will be positioned across the course and event facilities to respond to emergencies.

“With 41,000 runners taking part, their safety is our top priority,” said Dr Sameer Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Director of Metro Group of Hospitals and Co-Medical Director of VDHM 2026. He thanked the medical teams and partners for coordinating the arrangements to support participants.

Runners will have access to multiple support points throughout the course. Hydration Partner Bisleri will provide 12 water stations, nine rehydration stations and three mist zones, while additional facilities will offer orange and salt, chikki, cooling support and water spraying.

The route will feature eight cheering zones and 12 motivation zones, with experiences led by sponsors, the Navy Band, Delhi Drummers Circle and Youth for Seva groups. A Red Bull station will also be positioned along the course. Run clubs will play a significant role in race-day operations. Twenty-one clubs will help manage hydration and support stations, while 850 volunteers will motivate runners and assist participants throughout the event.

These arrangements aim to make the race more manageable for participants across different categories and provide support at key points along the route.

Delhi Metro to Begin Services at 3:30 am

Transport arrangements have been designed to help runners reach the stadium before their respective starts. All registered participants will receive complimentary Delhi Metro travel on October 18.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will begin services at 3:30 am on the Red, Yellow, Blue and Violet lines. Trains will operate at 15-minute intervals until 4:15 am, followed by 20-minute intervals until regular services commence according to the scheduled timetable. E-rickshaws will be available from Jor Bagh Metro Station to the drop-off point serving Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Additional staff will be deployed at key stations to assist participants.

Parking will be available exclusively for Half Marathon participants, who can collect stickers for personal cars or motorcycles at the PLAYSCAPE VDHM Expo on a first-come, first-served basis.

All races will start and finish at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The principal race-day timings are:

• 5:18 am: Half Marathon elite men

• 5:20 am: Half Marathon elite women

• 5:30 am: Half Marathon and Police Cup

• 6:30 am: Champions with Disability and Senior Citizens’ Run

• 7:35 am: Open 10K

• 9:00 am: Corporate Run

• 9:05 am: Great Delhi Run

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Expo will run from October 15 to 17, ahead of race day.

The 2026 edition is committed to operating as a 100% waste-managed race and has received Bronze-level recognition from World Athletics for sustainability.

Measures include segregating wet, dry, PET and Tetra Pak waste; recycling packaging; composting food waste; treating sewage at an authorised facility; and reusing leftover water to irrigate nearby trees. More than 100 NDMC sanitation workers will support waste collection and segregation.

Organisers are also using digital entry forms and e-handbooks to reduce paper consumption, encouraging public transport and bicycles, deploying electric vehicles for operations and collecting used shoes for communities in need. Surplus food will be donated, while event branding materials will be upcycled into useful products.

Dr Ankita Rai, Chief Medical Officer, Public Health, New Delhi Municipal Council, described the event as a platform for promoting a cleaner and more sustainable Delhi.

The race-day proceedings will be streamed from 5:00 am on Procam International's YouTube channel, with the world feed also available on the official World Athletics YouTube channel.

With more than 41,000 participants expected, the organisers' focus is on combining a large-scale sporting occasion with comprehensive safety, transport and environmental measures. The event will bring runners of different abilities together in the capital while showcasing the operational planning required to stage a major road race.