Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Mizoram wants 5,000 runners to hit the pavement for the third Aizawl International Half Marathon on February 20, 2027. Sports and Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar announced a total prize pool of Rs 20 lakh on November 4. The race happens at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl.
Growth is steady. The first run in April 2025 drew 1,500 runners, while the second event in February 2026 pulled in 3,000 participants. That second run included 16 international athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, and France.
Runners can pick from five categories: the 21.1-km half marathon, 10-km open race, 5-km fun race, junior race, and senior or veteran race. Professionals, students, and fitness buffs will compete. Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, Director General of the National Cadet Corps, signed on as a patron after meeting with Hmar and curator Captain Rahul Bali in New Delhi. The NCC will help bring cadets to the starting line.
Hmar stated the event carries weight. "The marathon had grown beyond a sporting initiative and had the potential to bring together athletes and communities from across India and abroad." The Mizoram government sees this as a tool to boost local business for hotels, homestays, restaurants, and transport operators.
A three-day expo runs from February 18 to 20, covering wellness displays and cultural shows. Racers collect kits on February 18 and 19. The Government of Mizoram organizes the event with Innovations India, backed by the Athletics Federation of India, the Sports Authority of India, and the Northeast Frontier Railway. The Athletics Federation of India formally accredits the marathon.
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