Running News Daily

The 21st edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, staged under the title sponsorship of the Tata Group, produced a compelling men’s race shaped by strategy, endurance, and mental resilience. Run over Mumbai’s iconic 42.195 km course — featuring long exposed stretches along Marine Drive and a demanding spiral climb in the closing kilometres — the race unfolded under rising January temperatures and increasing humidity, turning it into as much a test of judgment as raw strength.

A High-Stakes Duel in the Final Kilometres

The men’s contest ultimately narrowed to a gripping duel between Ethiopia’s Tadu Abate Deme and Kenya’s Leonard Lang’at, with Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete Weldemaryam remaining in contention deep into the race. As the decisive kilometres approached, the tension was unmistakable. “Neither of them giving any quarter. They’re both absolutely exhausted here,” commentators observed, capturing the mental and physical toll exacted by the Mumbai course.

Abate, 28, arrived with an impressive résumé. His personal best of 2:05:55, set three years earlier in Tokyo, highlights his ability to combine speed with endurance. A frequent and consistent racer, Abate completed three marathons in 2025 alone — including one just six weeks before Mumbai — demonstrating exceptional recovery and conditioning. Inspired by Kenenisa Bekele, he blends track-like efficiency with road-racing instincts, conserving energy and striking precisely when it matters most.

Lang’at brought his own credentials to the battle. A seasoned marathoner known for strong finishes and tactical awareness, the Kenyan owns personal bests in the 2:08–2:09 range and has built a reputation as a relentless competitor in tightly contested races. As the leaders broke clear late, commentators noted, “It’s a mental battle between these two now, as much as a physical battle… Abate is moving smoothly. He can relax a little now; he’s got the race won.”

Weldemaryam, representing Eritrea, showcased steady progression on the international stage. Though unable to match Abate’s final acceleration, his endurance kept him among the leaders until the closing kilometres. “He’s been a good runner… getting better and better like a good wine,” the commentary reflected, underscoring his continued development.

Tactical Racing Takes Center Stage

By 40 km, the leaders had passed through 2:03:08, a clear signal that the race had shifted from time-chasing to a tactical contest of patience and resolve. Abate’s decisive move came after the final left-hand turn away from Marine Drive, where he surged with authority and opened a gap Lang’at could not close despite a determined pursuit.

The Mumbai course’s exposed roads, coastal winds, and late-race climb demanded precise energy management. Abate executed his race plan flawlessly — staying controlled through the middle stages, reading his rivals, and accelerating only when fatigue began to show in the field.

Lang’at, while ultimately second, demonstrated grit and composure throughout, while Weldemaryam and the chasing pack added depth to a men’s race in which every kilometre required concentration and discipline.

A Race Defined by Intelligence and Strength

The men’s race at the 21st Tata Mumbai Marathon will be remembered as a high-calibre strategic battle — one where Ethiopian excellence once again prevailed, but Kenyan and Eritrean challengers ensured a gripping international contest. Abate Deme’s well-timed surge earned him victory in 2:09:55, with Lang’at close behind and Weldemaryam rounding out the podium.

Once again, Mumbai proved that it rewards tactical intelligence, mental fortitude, and resilience as much as speed, reinforcing its reputation as one of Asia’s most demanding and strategically complex marathons.

Men’s International Elite Top 6 – 2026 Tata Mumbai Marathon

1. Tadu Abate Deme (ETH) – 2:09:55

2. Leonard Lang’at (KEN) – 2:10:10

3. Merhawi Kesete Weldemaryam (ERI) – 2:10:22

4. Gada Gemsisa Gudeta (ETH) – 2:10:49

5. Victor Kiplangat (UGA) – 2:11:02

6. Benjamin Kigen (KEN) – 2:15:28