Jaipur Prepares for Historic 17th AU Jaipur Marathon with Grand Expo Launch
The Pink City of Jaipur is once again buzzing with excitement as final preparations are underway for the much-anticipated 17th edition of the AU Jaipur Marathon. Scheduled for February 1, 2026, this premier running event promises to be a grand celebration of fitness, patriotism, and community spirit.
Grand Inauguration of GCL Dreams Bib Launch Expo
As part of the marathon preparations, the two-day GCL Dreams Bib Launch Expo was inaugurated with great fanfare on Friday at Shilpgram, Jawahar Kala Kendra. The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting attended by several dignitaries, setting a vibrant tone for the festivities.
Key figures present at the inauguration included:
- Pt. Suresh Mishra, President of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha
- Ravi Singhal, Managing Director of GCL Dreams
- Ashutosh Atri, President of Aavas Finance
- Puneet Karnawat, Former Deputy Mayor of Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation
- H C Ganeshia, Patron of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha
- Ravi Goyanka, Race Director of Jaipur Marathon
- Deepak Sharma, Executive President of Jaipur Runners
- Yogesh Mishra, Director of Miss Rajasthan
- Mukesh Mishra, CEO of AU Jaipur Marathon
The inauguration was followed by a soulful and patriotic performance by the RPF Band, which filled the venue with national pride and enthusiasm.
Vision and Announcements
Addressing the gathering, Pt. Suresh Mishra emphasized that the AU Jaipur Marathon is not just a race; it is a movement for a Fit India and an aware society. He highlighted the importance of youth participation in driving national progress through fitness.
Mukesh Mishra, CEO of the marathon, announced that the official race route for the 2026 edition has been finalized. Designed to ensure a safe and smooth experience, the route will require temporary road closures. JLN Marg will remain closed from 3 am to 9:30 am on race day, with only emergency vehicles permitted. Citizens are urged to use alternate routes during this period.
Expo Highlights and Activities
With the inauguration of the Expo, bib and kit distribution for registered runners officially began. The event featured a special interactive session with ultra-runner and Mount Everest conqueror Breeze Sharma on the theme "Beyond Limits: Endurance, Mindset and Ultra Running Inspiration".
The Jaipur Legend Awards were presented to inspirational personalities from the fields of running and fitness, recognizing their contributions to promoting health and wellness.
In the evening session, renowned humor poet Sanjay Jhala and popular Bollywood singer Ravindra Upadhyay graced the event as special guests. The "Velvet Voice Open Mic" provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills in music and art, adding a creative flair to the proceedings.
Marathon Details and Celebrity Presence
Organizers presented the complete roadmap for the AU Jaipur Marathon, highlighting that this year's event will be made special by the presence of fitness icon Milind Soman, who will run alongside participants, and Bollywood actress Ishita Raj. The marathon will be flagged off by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, with Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore attending as a special guest.
Historic World Record Attempts
Race day will feature two historic world record attempts:
- Mass singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ by 200 students of Vivekananda Global University – marking the first time such an event will be held at a sports gathering in India.
- The world's largest scientific experiment at a single location on the theme "Mother – The Centre of Balance".
Official Race Route and Facilities
The AU Jaipur Marathon will start from Albert Hall (South Gate). The detailed routes are as follows:
- Full Marathon (42.195 km): Reporting at 2:40 am, flag-off at 3:00 am. Route includes Albert Hall, Birla Mandir, Gandhi Circle, Malviya Nagar Flyover, Apex Circle, World Trade Park, Jawahar Circle, Bajaj Nagar mode, Tonk Road flyover, JLN Marg JDA Circle, Trimurti Circle, with two rounds finishing at Albert Hall.
- Half Marathon (21.097 km): Flag-off at 5 am, covering one loop of the full marathon route.
- 10-km Run: Flag-off at 6:45 am, from Albert Hall South Gate to MNIT Cut and back.
- 5-km Run: Flag-off at 7:10 am, from Albert Hall South Gate to Gandhi Circle and return.
- Dream Run & World Record Run: Flag-off at 7:15 am, from Albert Hall South Gate to World Trade Park.
To ensure participant safety and comfort, the route will feature:
- 34 Water, Energy, and Orange Stations
- 12 EHCC Medical Stations
- 15 Cheering Zones
- Mobile toilets at multiple locations
All participants are requested to enter the venue only through the Ramniwas Bagh Gate (in front of New Gate).
Continuing Expo and Future Events
The GCL Dreams Expo will continue on January 31, where runners can collect their bibs. The day will also feature Power Talks, Pacers Meet, Jaipur Runners Awards, and Legend Awards, energizing participants ahead of the marathon.
Under AU Jaipur Marathon 2026, this Expo has evolved into more than just a bib distribution event – it has become a celebration of patriotism, fitness, and social unity. Jaipur is now fully prepared for that historic morning when thousands of feet will move together, patriotic spirit will echo, and the entire city will run in one rhythm.
