Bugatha Srinu, Bhagirathi Clinch Top Honours at Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2026
Over 45,000 Runners Turn Bengaluru Streets into a Celebration of Sport, Community and Resilience
Bengaluru, 27 September 2026: Bengaluru came alive early Sunday as more than 45,000 runners participated in the 13th edition of the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon, turning the city’s streets into a celebration of fitness, competition and community. Organised by NEB Sports in association with the Karnataka Athletics Association, Wipro and Shriram Properties, the event featured the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, with more than 25 elite runners competing from across the country.
Recognised among the world’s top 50 marathons and ranked second in India, the event brought together elite athletes, corporate employees, defence personnel, senior citizens, children and first-time runners. Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara graced the event, while various dignitaries flagged off the different races.
Bugatha Srinu, Bhagirathi Lead Full Marathon Field
The Full Marathon began at 3:50 am, followed by the Half Marathon at 6 am, 10K at 7:30 am and 5K at 8:15 am. The Full and Half Marathon routes passed landmarks including Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park and Ulsoor Lake.
Bugatha Srinu, 34, representing the Army Sports Institute, Pune, won the men’s Full Marathon in 2:22:53, while Bhagirathi claimed the women’s title in 3:00:18. The Elite Men’s podium was dominated by Indian Army runners.
“I’ve been running for 12 years, and this win feels truly special. The crowd support and organisation along the route pushed me to give my best today,” Srinu said.
Amit Patil of Belgaum finished runner-up with a personal best, praising the organisation and support along the route. In the women’s field, runner-up Meenakshi Negi, 21, of Uttarakhand, said, “Finishing on the podium among such experienced runners is a huge confidence boost. Bengaluru’s route and crowd support made the race memorable.”
Strong Performances Across Categories
Ankit Gupta won the men’s Half Marathon in 1:09:12, while Sugandha Sharma topped the women’s category in 1:34:55. Lakshmeesha C S and Elina Bhatt won the men’s and women’s 10K in 33:54 and 52:07, respectively. Class 9 student Koushik Naik also featured among the fastest 10K runners.
The 5K reflected the marathon’s broad community appeal, drawing children, senior citizens, corporate teams and first-time runners.
Running Beyond the Finish Line
Wipro Global Chief Marketing Officer Ranjita Ghosh said the company was proud to continue as title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.
“The marathon reflects what makes Bengaluru special — its energy, diversity and strong sense of community,” she said, adding that participants demonstrated the spirit of “proof over promise” through determination and purpose.
Shriram Properties CMD Murali Malayappan said the marathon reflected Bengaluru’s “energy, ambition and resilience”, while noting that the event’s 13-year journey had made it one of the city’s celebrated sporting occasions. He said the stories of runners overcoming personal challenges showed that “the most important victories are often about finding the strength to keep moving forward.”
Race Director and NEB Sports CMD Nagaraj Adiga said organising an event of this scale required months of planning and coordinated efforts by hundreds of volunteers and partners. “Seeing runners of every age and ability cross the finish line, especially those who have overcome real personal battles, is what makes all that effort worthwhile,” he said.
Inclusion and Purpose Take Centre Stage
Nine runners who overcame significant personal challenges, including physical disability and difficult life circumstances, served as Brand Ambassadors for the 2026 marathon.
Dr. Thankam Subramonian, 59, who became Karnataka’s first living altruistic kidney donor in February 2026, completed the Half Marathon in her first long-distance run after surgery. “One donor can save at least eight lives,” she said.
A special 8:20 am flag-off for persons with disabilities and visually impaired participants further underscored the event’s emphasis on inclusion.
The 21st edition of the Spirit of Wipro Run, conducted across more than 70 cities worldwide, also featured employees, families, clients and partners supporting social-impact initiatives.
For thousands of participants, however, the marathon was about more than podiums and timings. It represented personal milestones, resilience, causes, competition and the shared joy of running through Bengaluru.
