Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026: Birhanu Legese Eyes Third Title, Irine Cheptai Returns to Delhi

New Delhi, October 16: Two-time champion Birhanu Legese will aim to reclaim the men's title, while Kenya's Irine Cheptai returns to the capital as the women's field prepares for the 21st edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, October 18.

Several leading international and Indian distance runners shared their ambitions and preparations at the pre-race press conference on Friday. The World Athletics Gold Label event will offer a total prize purse of USD 275,732, with the men's and women's winners each receiving USD 27,000. An additional USD 12,000 bonus awaits any athlete who breaks the course record.

Birhanu Legese Targets Third Delhi Half Marathon Title

Ethiopia's Legese, a two-time winner of the event, is confident of challenging for another title after preparing in Kaptagat alongside marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. The Ethiopian said he was in good shape and described Delhi as almost a second home.

Despite missing the podium last year, Legese remains motivated to return to winning ways.

Kenya's Charles Matata will also be among the leading contenders. The Kenyan police officer arrives after winning the Riga Half Marathon in Latvia earlier this year in 59 minutes and 15 seconds.

Irine Cheptai Returns as 'Queen of India'

Cheptai, the 2022 Delhi champion, returns after winning the Dubai Half Marathon in February and finishing second at the Sydney Marathon in August. However, she admitted that she was still recovering from the marathon and was not yet at her best.

Another contender is Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, the Kenyan-born Israeli runner and World Championships marathon bronze medallist. Making her first visit to India, Salpeter is working her way back from a hamstring injury sustained in May.

Indian Stars Aim for Strong Performances

The Indian elite field will feature Kiran Matre, Lily Das, Ankita Dhyani and Dr. Kartik Karkera.

Matre, last year's Indian elite men's runner-up, will seek to improve on his personal best of 1:04:57 despite a hip injury that disrupted his preparations. Das, the 2024 Indian elite women's champion, will face strong competition from Dhyani, who made her half marathon debut at the event last year.

Karkera, who finished third among Indian elite men in 2025, will look to continue his steady progress.

The top three finishers in both Indian elite categories will receive ₹3.5 lakh, ₹2.5 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh, respectively. An additional ₹1 lakh incentive is available for setting a new Indian elite record.