GODAVARI RIVER MARATHON 2026

GODAVARI RIVER MARATHON 2026
Run Beside the Godavari. Run Through Bhadrachalam.

Event at a Glance

Event: Godavari River Marathon 2026
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Location: Bhadrachalam, Telangana
Start Venue: Near Haritha Hotel, Bhadrachalam (tentative; the final venue will be announced soon)
Race Categories: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Start Times: To be announced soon
Early Bird Registration: Open until October 18, 2026

Why Run the Godavari River Marathon

Most city marathons are run between buildings and traffic barricades. This one is run beside one of India's greatest rivers.

The Godavari is the longest river in peninsular India. At Bhadrachalam it runs wide and calm past one of the most revered temple towns in South India. On December 6, you get to run alongside it in the cool of a winter morning, watching the sun come up over the water and the landscape change around you, kilometre after kilometre.

This is not a race you simply finish. It is a race you remember.

A river-side run from start to finish. Most of the route follows the Godavari, so the river is your companion for nearly the whole run.
Road and trail in one race. The course mixes smooth road with stretches of natural mud road, so it feels varied, engaging and never monotonous.
Views that make the kilometres disappear. Open skies, river crossings and countryside along the banks. Full marathoners get the most of it, and every category gets scenery few urban races can match.
A destination worth the trip. Bhadrachalam is a temple town, a river town and a gateway to forests, tribal heritage and boat journeys. Make it a race weekend.
Priced for runners. Running a full marathon in India has become expensive. We have kept our prices low so this race stays within reach of every runner, from first-time marathoners to seasoned finishers.
Organised by runners. Our team is made up of passionate runners with solid experience of organising events. We build the race we would want to run ourselves.

The Route

The course starts in Bhadrachalam and soon heads over the bridge across the Godavari. Few marathons let you run across a river this size, with the water stretching out on both sides. From there, the route goes through Karakatta and carries on along the river.

The course is a mix of tarmac road and natural trail sections on mud road. That variety keeps the run interesting, and the trail stretches add the feel of running close to the land rather than just through it.

Full marathoners get the complete experience: the bridge, the river-side stretches, the open countryside and views that change all through the run. Half marathon, 10K and 5K runners also get a generous share of the river.

The route is tentative. The final route map and aid station details will be shared with registered runners before race day.

Part of the Telangana Multi-Terrain Grand Slam

The Godavari River Marathon is the third race in the Telangana Multi-Terrain Grand Slam, a series that takes runners across the varied landscapes of Telangana:

Telangana Run 2026 (completed)
Ananthagiri Hills Trail Run 2026 (completed)
Godavari River Marathon 2026
Yadagirigutta Temple Run 2027 (final leg)

If you have already started your slam journey, this is your next step. If you haven't, the Godavari River Marathon is a great place to begin. Mark your slam status during registration.

What Your Registration Includes

Race T-shirt
Finisher medal
Timed bib
E-certificate
Hydration and aid stations
Post-race refreshments
Medical support

Race Weekend Plan

Bhadrachalam rewards runners who stay a little longer. A suggested plan:

Saturday, December 5: Arrive, check in, collect your bib (bib collection details to be announced soon), visit the temple and watch the evening on the Godavari ghats.
Sunday, December 6: Race morning by the river. Celebrate your finish.
Monday, December 7 and beyond: Take a boat on the Godavari, visit Kinnerasani or Parnasala, or spend a day on the Papikondalu cruise.

Explore Bhadrachalam and Around

Bhadrachalam is one of Telangana's best-known pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Here is what we recommend you see while you are here.

Sri Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple. The heart of Bhadrachalam. This historic temple stands close to the banks of the Godavari and was built in the 17th century by the devotee Bhakta Ramadasu. It draws pilgrims from across India and is a must-visit, whether you go for faith, history or architecture.
Godavari Ghats and Boating. Steps lead down to the river close to the temple. It is the perfect spot for a calm evening, a short boat ride on the Godavari, and a look at the river you will be running beside.
Papikondalu Boat Journey. One of the most scenic river journeys in South India. The Godavari cuts through the Papikondalu hills in a dramatic gorge, with forested slopes on both sides. Full-day boat trips can be arranged through local tour operators in Bhadrachalam.
Kinnerasani Boating and Wildlife Sanctuary. About 25 km from Bhadrachalam, Kinnerasani has a large reservoir with forested islands set inside a 635 sq km wildlife sanctuary. Visitors come for boating on the lake, the deer park and the greenery. It makes a peaceful half-day trip.
ITDA Tribal Museum and Tribal Tourism. The museum run by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Bhadrachalam shows the culture of the Koya, Nayakpod, Kondareddy and Lambada communities. Exhibits include traditional attire, ornaments, festival items, tools, mud houses, art and worship practices. It is one of the best ways to understand the region beyond the temple.
Bhadradri Mart. A newly opened mart run by ITDA, within about 2 km of the town centre. It stocks a wide range of sweets and local products, many of them grown, made and sold by tribal communities themselves. It is a great place to browse, taste the region and take something authentic home.
Bhadradri Tribal Products. Pick up handmade products and forest produce made by the region's tribal communities. They are authentic souvenirs, and your purchase supports local livelihoods.
Parnasala. About 35 km from Bhadrachalam. Tradition holds that Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent part of their exile here, and it is closely linked to the Ramayana. The drive along the river is a pleasant outing in itself.
Sri Abhaya Anjaneya Temple. A Hanuman temple close to the town, known for its deity carvings. It is especially busy on Tuesdays.

Getting to Bhadrachalam

Bhadrachalam is a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination, so it is well connected and easy to reach, including by public transport.

By Road: Bhadrachalam is about 310 to 330 km from Hyderabad (around 6 to 7 hours by road), about 120 km from Khammam and about 200 km from Vijayawada.
By Bus: Bhadrachalam Bus Station has regular direct buses from Hyderabad, Khammam, Warangal, Vijayawada and other cities, including overnight and AC options.
By Train: The nearest railhead is Bhadrachalam Road station at Kothagudem, about 40 km from Bhadrachalam, with direct trains from Secunderabad. Khammam station, about 115 to 120 km away, has many more trains from across the country. Buses and taxis connect both stations to Bhadrachalam.
By Air: The nearest airport is Rajahmundry, about 185 km away. Vijayawada (about 200 km) and Hyderabad are also convenient options, with onward travel by road.

Accommodation

Bhadrachalam welcomes a steady stream of pilgrims and tourists all year, so it has a wide supply of rooms for every budget, from simple lodges to comfortable hotels. Runners coming from outside will find it easy to stay close to the start area. Accommodation details will be shared soon.

One River. One Run. All of India.