The 2026 Asian Games qualification mark in the men’s marathon is 2:15:04 and the women’s group is 2:31:52. Asian Games will be held in September in Japan    

Country’s top three marathon runners—Karti Karkera, Gopi T and Man Singh—were on Sunday successful in chasing the Asian Games qualification criteria set by Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be held in September in Japan.

The Cognisant New Delhi Marathon held on the streets of Delhi on Sunday proved to be productive for male marathon runners but female runners were unsuccessful in achieving the Asian Games qualification standard.

Top three runners— Karti Karkera, Gopi T and Man Singh were bunched together till the last 100m race of the marathon. All three sprinted hard but it was Karti Karkera who was first to cross the line in a time of 2:13:10. Army’s experienced marathon runner Gopi T finished a close second with a time of 2:13:12. Gopi’s training partner Man Singh was third (2:13:15).

All three male marathon runners bettered the Asian Games qualification time of 2:15:04.

The winners of the women’s marathon were Thakor Nirmaben Bharatjee (2:41:15), Bhagirathi (2:43:28) and Ashwini Madan Jadhav (2:56:59) in that order. The Asian Games qualification criteria in the women’s group is 2:31:52.

Apart from the marathon, a half-marathon and 10km event was also organised.

Results: Marathon: Karti Karkera 2:13:10, Gopi T 2:13:12, Man Singh 2:13:15.

Women: Marathon: Thakor Nirmaben Bharatjee 2:41:15, Bhagirathi 2:43:28, Ashwini Madan Jadhav 2:56:59.

EOM