13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition 2026 Day 1 Results: Ram Baboo and Manju Win 42km Titles
13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition 2026 Day 1 Results
The 13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition 2026 began with high-intensity endurance battles as India’s top race walkers competed in the newly introduced 42km marathon walk and the 10km events.
Held at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, the opening day delivered tactical racing, breakthrough performances, and strong early-season timings.
Organised by the Athletics Federation of India, the event serves as a key domestic benchmark ahead of major international competitions later this year.
📍 Venue & Event Details
- Location: Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
- Date: 21 February 2026
- Events on Day 1:
- Men’s 42km Race Walk
- Women’s 42km Race Walk
- Men’s 10km Race Walk
- Women’s 10km Race Walk
🥇 Men’s 42km Race Walk Results
| Position | Athlete | State | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ram Baboo | Uttar Pradesh | 3:09:17 |
| 2 | Sandeep Kumar | Haryana | 3:11:18 |
| 3 | Resham Midhun | Telangana | 3:12:11 |
Ram Baboo controlled the pace through the middle phase and accelerated in the final stretch to secure victory in the historic 42km event.
🥇 Women’s 42km Race Walk Results
| Position | Athlete | State | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manju | Punjab | 3:33:24 |
| 2 | Priyanka Goswami | Uttar Pradesh | 3:37:25 |
| 3 | Payal | Uttarakhand | 3:39:57 |
Manju broke away after the 32km mark, distancing herself from a competitive field that included national-level star Priyanka Goswami.
🚶♂️ Men’s 10km Race Walk Results
| Position | Athlete | State | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nitin Gupta | Uttar Pradesh | 41:44 |
| 2 | Rishikesh P | Tamil Nadu | 43:11 |
| 3 | Bilin George Anto | Kerala | 43:53 |
🚶♀️ Women’s 10km Race Walk Results
| Position | Athlete | State | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reshma Patel | Uttar Pradesh | 46:19 |
| 2 | Mary Margaret K | Delhi | 47:18 |
| 3 | Akshaya K | Kerala | 51:49 |
⭐ Key Highlights from Day 1
- Historic debut of the 42km marathon race walk in Indian domestic competition.
- Uttar Pradesh athletes secured multiple podium finishes.
- Strong endurance timings early in the 2026 season.
- Tactical racing strategies evident in both marathon events.
📈 What This Means for the 2026 Season
The performances at the 13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition indicate a competitive domestic season ahead. With several athletes targeting continental and global championships, these timings provide a strong platform for qualification pursuits and performance progression.
Stay tuned for Day 2 results and full event coverage on SportzPulse.