Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2027

The Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2027 returns on Sunday, 3 January 2027 for its 15th edition, organised by Chennai Runners during the running club's 20th-anniversary year. The event brings road runners together for an AIMS-measured city race, with a coastal running tradition and a community charity programme.

Five entry options across four distances

The organiser's current 2027 terms confirm Open 10K, 10K Level Up (also 10 km), Half Marathon (21.0975 km), Twenty Miler (32.186 km) and Full Marathon (42.195 km). Entrants must be at least 16 years old for either 10K option, or 18 years old for the three longer distances, as of race day. Proof of age is required at bib collection. The 32.186 km Twenty Miler is a distinct race, not a marathon or half marathon; it is described here because ARC does not currently offer its exact distance in the category selector.

Route and race-day arrangements

The marathon is associated with Chennai's Marina Beach, Napier Bridge and East Coast Road running corridors. Longer-distance editions have used the coast towards the Indian Maritime University area at Uthandi, with different starts or finishes depending on the race. The organiser's current 2027 FAQ explicitly says that start/finish sites, routes, race timings, parking and baggage instructions will be updated, so previous-year layouts must not be treated as final 2027 directions. The 4:00 am calendar start currently shown for this event is provisional, not a verified 2027 flag-off; runners should follow the final participant guide for their own distance.

According to the 2027 official FAQ, race support includes electronic timing chips on all bibs, baggage handling, hydration and medical help at aid stations, with water, energy drinks, fruit, biscuits and pain-relief sprays. The organiser expects to provide limited return buses from the Indian Maritime University area for Half Marathon, Twenty Miler and Full Marathon finishers, subject to event-day instructions. Official cut-off times have not yet been announced. Finishers within their category's cut-off are eligible for a finisher medal and downloadable e-certificate.

Registration and race-pack collection

Registration is promoted through the organiser's official 2027 portal, but a trustworthy public 2027 entry-fee table and final registration closing date were not independently established as at 23 October 2026; fees from the 2026 edition must not be copied forward. Participants can register individually, and groups seeking more than 25 corporate places can contact corporateregistration@chennairunners.in.

All confirmed entrants must collect their timing-chip bib and race kit at the pre-race Expo: there is no race-day bib collection. The organiser says it will announce 2027 Expo dates, venue and hours separately. An authorised representative can collect for a participant with a signed authorisation letter and the requested identification copy. Entry is normally non-refundable and non-transferable, with exceptions for organiser-rejected applications described in the official terms.

Community and accreditation

Chennai Runners identifies the course as AIMS-measured and its marathon as part of Abbott World Marathon Majors age-group rankings. Its SheRACES commitment aims to make racing more inclusive for women. SVP India Chennai is the 2027 philanthropy partner, supporting 12 charity partners across health, education, disability and inclusion, environmental, cultural and other community causes. Runners can take part while supporting fundraising through the organiser's charity initiative.

Check the official Freshworks Chennai Marathon website and 2027 terms for the final route, flag-off, registration and Expo bulletins before making travel plans.