As dawn broke on a pleasantly cool Mumbai morning, the city buzzed with excitement. Even though the day turned out to be a rather hot one, the atmosphere was electric and filled with the energy of diverse runners gathered for the 20th Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM).
Get set, go
At 5:00am, the starting gun went off, and the race officially began. While K. Krithivasan, CEO of TCS, and other esteemed dignitaries present at the venue flagged off the event, the event ambassador, Sir Mo Farah, was seen encouraging the runners. "We are making history," "You can do this," and "Just have fun out there," are just a few ways that he inspired runners and created a strong sense of solidarity in the crowd.
Before race day, we caught up with Sir Mo Farah to discuss running, fitness, and tips for all runners. Listen to him share his story here.
All runners, all unique
Thousands of runners ran together, yet some of them found unique ways to stand out. While a runner was seen running backward, another runner juggled while running, and many wore creative costumes that added festive flair to the event. Many families were present to cheer for their loved ones and some ran together, turning the marathon into a family outing. Among the many inspiring participants was a 95-year-old runner, the oldest participant in the race, proving that age is just a number for chasing dreams.
While many had over a decade of experience, some ran for the first time. When asked about their motivation, one runner explained that "long distance or endurance running always defines and resonates with your state of mind, even in personal lives." Another participant, when asked what inspired her to run, said Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran’s running journey was a big inspiration for her. A third runner shared that during his run, even when his body felt like giving up, the sight of his running companions helped him stay on track and continue running.
TMM continued to be a platform for social change and raised awareness of cybercrime, mental health, and digital literacy, among other crucial issues. Over 13,000 runners, NGOs, businesses, and community members raised Rs 43 crore (and counting) for critical social causes.
As one of India's most popular endurance running races, TMM drew over 65,000 runners who completed one of six distances in-person or virtually. Since its inception in 2004, it has inspired countless people to push their limits and transform themselves into better versions, ones who care about their health, want to stay fit, and maybe squeeze in a bit of fun while doing that.
Here's to celebrating community and resilience and creating a running culture in a nation with much untapped long-distance running potential. Here's to 20 years of the Tata Mumbai Marathon!
Seven things you didn't know about Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025
Since its inception in 2004, the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) has become a beacon of athletic excellence, capturing hearts and headlines alike. As we count down to the 20th edition on January 19, 2025, here are seven compelling reasons why the TMM is more than just a race:
1. Race app: The TMM race app 2025, a cornerstone of many TCS-sponsored running events, utilizes TCS cloud services and TCS Interactive to solve logistical challenges for runners and spectators. It has exciting features, enhanced user interface, and is set to improve the race experience for runners and fans alike. You can track an unlimited number of runners, participate in the race from anywhere in the world through virtual runs, get all the details about the event's various race categories at your fingertips, and capture your run memories with TMM-themed selfie frames.
2. Diverse and inclusive event: TMM will bring together participants from all walks of life. Since the launch of the race, TMM has seen a total of 7,66,846 participants. The most notable categories being 27,568 senior citizens and 10,664 champions with disabilities.
3. Ignited a running revolution: TMM has inspired a running movement in India, now home to 707 run clubs and 2.6 million registered runners. The number of officially timed races has soared to 1,100, and 1,000 new individuals run daily.
4. Philanthropic impact: As Asia's most significant sporting platform for philanthropy, TMM has raised ₹429.60 crores, benefiting over 750 NGOs through the support of 2,00,000 donors and 500 businesses.
5. Environmental sustainability: The TMM Green Bib initiative has regenerated 13 acres of farmland by planting 5,116 fruit-bearing trees, raised ₹32 lakhs for sustainability. TMM is also a 100% waste management and zero to landfill, recycling 79% of waste and composting 21%.
6. Economic and socio-economic impact: TMM contributes ₹367 crores, boosting sectors like technology, nutrition, and hospitality. Additionally, 70% of runners actively pursue health goals, demonstrating TMM's influence on a healthier lifestyle and aligning with TCS's belief that running can change lives.
7. Race categories: TMM features six race categories – Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Dream Run (6.6 km), Senior Citizens Race (4.7 km), Champions with Disability category (2.1 km), and the Open 10K.
Whether you are putting on your first race bib or chasing a personal best, you are part of something transformative. TMM is more than just a marathon—it's a movement toward a healthier lifestyle and sustainable future.
See you at the starting line on January 19, 2025.
Our Chairman, N Chandrasekaran, reminisces about his association with Tata Mumbai Marathon and how it has created a positive ripple effect since its inception in 2004. TMM, the largest philanthropic event in the country, has become a massive platform for the running community and has also resulted in TCS pursuing more marathon sponsorships worldwide.
