Inside the Push to Make Indian Marathons Globally Recognised

India’s fast-growing running culture just got a technical upgrade.

A five-day Course Measurement Workshop in Bengaluru, led by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races in collaboration with World Athletics, is aiming to fix a foundational issue in road racing: accuracy.

Held from April 20 to 24, the invitation-only workshop brought together 14 participants from across India to train them in globally accepted standards of measuring race routes—an often overlooked but critical aspect of competitive running.

Why is course measurement so important in road racing?

At its core, course measurement determines whether a race is truly the distance it claims to be. This directly impacts the legitimacy of race results, athlete performances, and eligibility for records or qualifications.

As Hugh Jones, who is leading the workshop, explains: "Accurate course measurement is fundamental to the integrity of our sport. As road running continues to expand globally, it is essential that races in India adhere to consistent international standards and make it a destination for road races for international participants."

Without certified measurement, even record-breaking performances risk going unrecognised by global authorities like AIMS and World Athletics.

What did the workshop actually teach?

The training went far beyond theory. Participants learnt the full spectrum of course measurement, including calibration techniques using bicycles, on-ground route mapping, data analysis, reporting, and final validation.

They are being trained under strict World Athletics protocols, with certification depending on attendance, assessments, and submission of valid measurement reports.

Safety and precision are also key elements. The workshop included mandatory helmet use during field exercises and hands-on work with specialised tools such as Jones Counters and calibrated bicycles.

Why is India focusing on this now?

India’s running ecosystem has exploded in recent years, with nearly 1,100 timed races attracting close to half a million participants across the country—from Ladakh to Kochi, Ahmedabad to Tawang.

Yet, despite this rapid growth, India currently has only three certified course measurers. This gap threatens the credibility of races at a time when participation is surging.

Rajesh Vetcha, who initiated the workshop, highlights the urgency: "India with nearly 1100 timed races and with road running being the fastest growing sport, course measurement is one of the integral aspects of the race and is the foundation of credibility in distance running."

How will this impact Indian races and athletes?

By creating a new pool of certified course measurers, the initiative is expected to standardise race quality across the country. This means more Indian races could meet international benchmarks, making them eligible for global recognition.

It also opens the door for India to become a more attractive destination for international runners, while ensuring domestic athletes compete on courses they can trust.

In the long run, such efforts could help Indian races gain the same credibility as globally renowned marathons, aligning the country’s rapidly growing running culture with international best practices.

(With inputs from ANI)