Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Bengaluru Marathon Draws Backlash Over Water Shortages
Thousands of people ran in the Bengaluru Marathon on Sunday.
Many runners said some water stations ran out of water.
The shortages were reported on important parts of the route.
Some runners worried that people could become sick while running in warm weather without enough water.
Participants also said different race groups were crowded together in some places.
They felt the event was poorly organized.
Some runners additionally alleged that recycled, unwashed cups were used when supplies ran short.
NEB Sports apologized for the problems.
The organizer said it would investigate what went wrong and work to improve future events.
Thousands participated in the 13th Wipro Bengaluru Marathon on Sunday, organized by NEB Sports.
Runners reported empty water stations, particularly between roughly the 6-kilometre and 16–17-kilometre marks.
Participants raised health concerns about running long distances in warm weather without adequate hydration.
Runners also criticized route merges and overcrowding involving the 5-kilometre, 10-kilometre, half-marathon, and full-marathon categories.
NEB Sports apologized, accepted responsibility for operational problems, and said it was reviewing feedback and assessing gaps.
- Who
- Thousands of runners participated; NEB Sports organized the event.
- What
- The marathon faced complaints about empty hydration stations, alleged cup-supply problems, route merges, and overcrowding.
- When
- Sunday, during the 13th edition of the annual event.
- Where
- Along the Bengaluru Marathon course, including stretches near the MG Road flyover.
- Why
- Participants said logistical failures left runners without adequate water and caused crowd-management problems; NEB Sports said it was assessing the operational gaps.
Participants’ Concerns
Organizer’s Response
Hydration and safety
Participants’ Concerns
Runners said water stations were empty along key sections, creating health risks during long-distance races in warm weather.
Organizer’s Response
NEB Sports acknowledged shortcomings in on-course hydration and said the service fell below the care participants deserved.
Race organization
Participants’ Concerns
Participants described the management as a disaster and criticized route merges that brought faster runners into larger crowds from shorter races.
Organizer’s Response
NEB Sports accepted responsibility for operational issues within its control and said it was assessing the gaps.
Supplies and sanitation
Participants’ Concerns
Some participants alleged that recycled, unwashed plastic cups were used after supplies ran short.
Organizer’s Response
NEB Sports’s statement addressed operational failures generally but did not specifically respond to the cup allegation.
- Event
- 13th Wipro Bengaluru Marathon
- Organizer
- NEB Sports
- Reported water-shortage stretch
- Approximately 6 km to 16–17 km, according to one participant
- Affected race groups
- 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, and full-marathon participants
- Additional concern
- Participants alleged recycled, unwashed plastic cups were used because of supply shortages
- Organizer response
- NEB Sports apologized and accepted responsibility for operational issues within its control
- Next steps
- The organizer said it would review feedback and conduct an immediate assessment of operational gaps