MUMBAI: Runners gearing up to compete in the upcoming Tata Mumbai Marathon take note: The 21st edition of the World Athletics Gold Label Race is all set to include the Coastal Road for the first time, TOI can reveal.Inaugurated in March 2024, the eight-lane expressway has considerably eased travel woes for motorists, though TMM race organisers Procam International opted against its use for last year’s edition.There’s been a change of heart for this year’s edition, which will be held on Sunday, Jan 18, with the Coastal Road’s inclusion set to impact both — the marathon (42.195k) and the half marathon.“We are fortunate and deeply thankful to the Mumbai Police, MCGM, MSRDC, and the government of Maharashtra for their unwavering support of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. The inclusion of the Coastal Road will truly offer runners a unique and memorable new experience,” said Vivek Singh, jt MD, Procam International.How the Coastal Road fits inRunners competing in the full marathon will head from Haji Ali to the Coastal Road using the northbound carriageway of the Coastal Road and then towards the Sea Link.Then, as they return from Worli Sea Face, the runners will get on on to the Coastal Road at Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk (roughly 30k mark) and will get off at the Acharya Atre Junction exit on the northbound carriageway of Lala Lajpatrai Road (roughly 33k mark).Half marathon runners will get a taste of the Coastal Road experience on the return which is exactly the same as what the full marathon participants will be using. The 21st edition of the TMM will see a record-breaking 69,100 participants (65,400+ on-ground and 3,700+ in virtual run) with 14,059 runners tackling the full marathon.
