Thousands Run the Coast at the Niveus Mangalore Marathon 2025
Mangalore: An unprecedented wave of enthusiasm swept through Mangalore on Sunday, November 9, 2025, as thousands of runners participated in the 4th annual Niveus Mangalore Marathon. The event, the largest of its kind in the city, drew participants from across India and several international locales, marking a significant milestone in Mangalore’s emergence as a prominent destination for distance running.
Organized by the Mangalore Runners Club (MRC), the marathon commenced at Mangala Stadium, guiding participants along Mangalore’s picturesque coastal route towards the scenic Thannirbhavi Beach. This year’s edition witnessed a record turnout, with over 6,000 runners representing more than 20 Indian states and countries, including Australia, Japan, Denmark, and Nigeria.
The Niveus Mangalore Marathon offered six distinct race categories to cater to a diverse range of athletic abilities and preferences. Participants could choose from the Full Marathon (42.195 km), 20 Miler (32 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10K Run, 5K Run, and the 2K Gammath Run. The event attracted elite athletes, amateur runners, and fitness enthusiasts alike, all united by a shared passion for running and community engagement.
The Full Marathon commenced at 4:15 a.m., with the starting flag waved by Johnson Paul Moyalan (76), a distinguished veteran runner from Kochi who has completed three full marathons at the Niveus Mangalore Marathon, and Shashir Shetty, Chief Growth Officer, Niveus Solutions. A total of 120 runners participated in the Full Marathon.
Following closely, the 20 Miler was flagged off at 4:45 a.m. by Abhishek Hegde, Marketing Director, Niveus Solutions, with 150 runners participating.
The Half Marathon began at 5:15 a.m., inaugurated by Sudheer Kumar Reddy IPS, Commissioner, Mangalore City Police, Suyog Shetty, CEO, Niveus Solutions, and Glen Hannigan, Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence, NTT Data Australia. This race saw 700 participants.
The 10K Run, which commenced at 6:00 a.m. and featured 1,500 participants, was initiated by Ben Tulloch, Executive Managing Director, NTT Data Singapore, alongside Javeed Yenepoya and Mishria Javeed, Directors of Yenepoya School, Anthony Joseph, Associate Director, Yenepoya School, and Uzwal Rodney Menezes, Principal, Yenepoya School.
The 5K Run, the most popular category with nearly 3,000 runners, was flagged off at 7:15 a.m. by Brijesh Chowta, Hon. Member of Parliament, ACP Geeta Kulkarni, and Shipra Rai, Vice President – People Operations, Niveus Solutions.
The 2K Gammath Run, a community-focused fun run, was flagged off at 8:00 a.m. by Najma Farooqi, ACP Traffic, and Luvlyn D’Souza, Director, Niveus Solutions.
Throughout the course, runners were treated to stunning sea views and encouraged by enthusiastic cheer squads. Dedicated volunteers managed hydration and fuel stations, ensuring seamless on-route support. Medical support was provided by KMC Hospital, the Mangalore Police ensured a traffic-free route, and the Mangalore City Corporation facilitated excellent civic amenities.
Upon crossing the finish line, participants were awarded a finisher medal inspired by Pili Nalike (Tiger Dance), Mangalore’s iconic folk art, symbolizing the city’s pride, energy, and resilience.
The finish arena at Mangala Stadium offered recovery zones with physiotherapy, cold plunge facilities, photo booths, ice cream treats, and a hearty breakfast, providing a fitting conclusion to the race.
In addition to promoting fitness and community, the event partnered with Riya Foundation as the official charity, supporting initiatives for differently-abled individuals.
The winners in the Full Marathon (Open Category) were Nazeem (Coonoor) for the Men’s Champion with a time of 2:42:15, and Shreya M (Sullia) for the Women’s Champion with a time of 3:22:08.
Suyog Shetty, CEO, Niveus Solutions, remarked, “The success of this event is a testament to the tireless efforts of the Mangalore Runners Club team. It is one of the largest community events in Mangalore, executed flawlessly with immense support from the administration, police, and volunteers. With partners like NTT Data, we aim to make it even bigger in the years ahead.”
Brijesh Chowta, Member of Parliament, stated, “Mangalore has immense potential to keep pace with the world, and this marathon is a step towards unlocking that potential. It is an event that helps our community see what’s possible. My heartfelt thanks to the organizers for this incredible initiative.
Vedavyas Kamath, MLA, Mangalore South, commented, “I haven’t seen an event like this before. It’s truly inspiring to see fitness, culture, and community come together in such a remarkable way.
Joel D’Souza, President, Mangalore Runners Club, added, “What started as a small community initiative has grown into a movement that unites Mangalore through fitness. This event is completely organized by runners, and we feel proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
Mehwish Hussain, Race Director, noted, “Each year, the Niveus Mangalore Marathon sets a new benchmark in quality and participation. Our focus remains on giving every runner an exceptional experience while showcasing Mangalore’s warmth and hospitality. Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming support.”
The Niveus Mangalore Marathon has evolved into a movement that promotes health, tourism, and community spirit across coastal Karnataka. With its growing national and international appeal, the marathon continues to solidify Mangalore’s position on India’s running map.
As the sun ascended over the Arabian Sea, and runners crossed the finish line to the rhythm of traditional drums, a unified message reverberated throughout the city: Mangalore runs together, stronger than ever.