Pic by Herbert Perera Story Courtesy Sunday obServer
Over 4,000 local and top international competitors are set to participate in the Colombo Marathon 2026, which will be held on September 13 in Colombo.
Designed to position Sri Lanka on the global sports tourism map, the Colombo Marathon 2026 aims to create an annual international sporting platform that brings together elite athletes, local runners and communities while showcasing Colombo as a vibrant destination for a world-class sporting experience.
Inspired by the world’s leading city marathons, the event seeks to combine sporting excellence, tourism promotion and community engagement to create a lasting legacy for Sri Lanka.
The Colombo Marathon 2026 has been brought to life through the strong support and collaboration of several key entities including Union Assurance, Elephant House, Nations Trust Bank (NTB), City of Dreams Sri Lanka, Nestomalt, DC Group, IPG Group and Rupavahini, who have joined hands with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to support the successful delivery of an international-standard marathon experience.
Through their collective expertise, resources and commitment, these partners will play a key role in ensuring a professionally managed event that meets global standards while strengthening Colombo’s position as an emerging destination for sports tourism.
The Colombo Marathon 2026 will feature five categories for athletes of all levels including the full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.097km), 10km road race, 5km fun run and a mini run for children.
To ensure compliance with international marathon standards, technical preparations are underway with an international measurement specialist set to certify the race route alongside Sri Lankan technical experts.
Race operations will be supported by approximately 100 certified officials from Sri Lanka Athletics, ensuring accurate timing and professional race management.
