Global touch to Aizawl Half Marathon

GUWAHATI

Top-rung international athletes were among some 3,000 runners who participated in the second edition of the Aizawl International Half Marathon (AIHM) held at the Mizoram capital on Saturday (February 14, 2026).

Sixteen athletes from Bahrain, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and other countries took part in the event that Governor Vijay Kumar Singh flagged off from the city’s Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.

Jointly organised by the Mizoram government and Innovations India, the event marked a significant leap from its debut edition in 2025, which had attracted around 1,500 participants, largely from the northeastern region.

The Governor said the pleasant weather and “very good” AQI (air quality index) make Aizawl an ideal venue for marathons and other athletic events.

Mizoram’s Sports and Tourism Minister, Lalnghinglova Hmar, said the surge in participation by almost 100% underlined the growing reputation of Aizawl as a major sports destination in India. “It also reflects Mizoram’s growing sporting culture and its capacity to host international-standard events,” he said.

“The participation of elite international athletes and thousands of runners from across India shows that Mizoram is ready to host global events. It is a proud moment for our State and a major boost for our tourism and sports ecosystem,” he said.

Kenya’s Kemboi Kevin Kiprono won the half-marathon in the 21 km Open Male category with a chip time of 1:06:28, followed closely by Ethiopian Nafsen Ejeta Balcha (1:06:38) and Kenyan Clinton Kibet Mutai (1:06:39).

In the 21 km Open Female category, India’s Renu Singh clinched the top position with a time of 1:21:22, followed by Tsige Debay Tadese (1:21:35) from Ethiopia, and Marta Hirpato Yota (1:21:36) from Bahrain.

The marathon route, set against Aizawl’s hills and urban landscape, offered participants a challenging course. The organisers said local crowds lined parts of the route, cheering runners and adding to the celebratory atmosphere.