TATA Mumbai Marathon 2026: Best Viewing Spots to Cheer Runners and Areas to Avoid on Race Day
Mumbai: The TATA Mumbai Marathon 2026 is set to take over the city this Sunday, January 18, as Mumbai gears up for one of its most celebrated sporting events. With nearly 69,000 runners participating this year, a record-breaking number in the marathon’s history, the city will see athletes from across India and around the world testing their endurance on Mumbai’s streets.
With an updated route this year, including the much-discussed addition of the Coastal Road for the full marathon, spectators are planning where to position themselves to cheer and capture memorable moments. For those not running but showing up to support friends and family, here are some of the best spots to experience the marathon atmosphere, along with places to avoid.
Marine Drive
Marine Drive remains a favourite among spectators, offering a stunning seafront backdrop and ample space to cheer. Runners pass through this stretch twice, between the 5 km and 8 km mark in the early hours, and again between 39 km and 41 km during the final leg of the race.
Haji Ali-Mahalaxmi Stretch
Another energising spot is the Haji Ali–Mahalaxmi stretch, where runners approach the 12 km mark and begin to feel the race intensify. Cheers here can be especially motivating before they enter the Coastal Road section.
Worli Sea Face & Pedder Road Flyover
Worli Sea Face offers two chances to spot runners—once as they head towards the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and again on their return. The Pedder Road flyover, famously known as the marathon’s “heartbreak hill,” is where runners need encouragement the most, around the 36 km mark.
CSMT & Azad Maidan
The area around CSMT and Azad Maidan, which serves as both the start and finish point, is unmatched for raw emotion. Watching runners cross the finish line is an unforgettable experience, and spectators can wait here to capture the beautiful and emotional moments of their accompanying runners at the finish line.
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Spectators are advised to avoid restricted zones such as the Coastal Road and Bandra-Worli Sea Link, where access is limited. Elsewhere, even a few cheers can go a long way in pushing runners toward the finish.