Colombo Marathon 2026 Sets Course to Become Sri Lanka’s Premier International City Marathon
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, together with key partners in Sri Lanka, launches landmark international sporting event under the theme “Steps for Peace and Humanity”
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 4 August 2026 – The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, together with some of Sri Lanka’s leading organisations, today launched the Colombo Marathon 2026, an ambitious international sporting event that aims to establish Colombo as Sri Lanka’s premier international city marathon.
The official launch, held on 4 August at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, brought together government dignitaries, sponsors, partners and media to announce the inaugural marathon, which is set to take place on 13 September 2026 under the theme “Steps for Peace and Humanity.” The event was graced by Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports; Hon. Sugath Thilakarathne; Mr Aruna Bandara, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports; and Mr S. Achchuthan, Director General, Department of Sports Development.
Designed to position Sri Lanka on the global sports tourism map, the Colombo Marathon 2026 aims to create an annual international sporting platform that brings together elite athletes, local runners, and communities, while showcasing Colombo as a vibrant destination for world-class sporting experiences. Inspired by the world’s leading city marathons, the event seeks to combine sporting excellence, tourism promotion and community engagement to create a lasting legacy for Sri Lanka.
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, commented, “Colombo Marathon 2026 marks an important milestone in our efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s presence in international sport. This event will create opportunities for athletes, inspire youth participation and showcase Sri Lanka as a destination capable of hosting world-class sporting events. Under the theme ‘Steps for Peace and Humanity’, the marathon represents unity, determination and collective progress.”
The Colombo Marathon 2026 has been brought to life through the strong support and collaboration of several key entities including Union Assurance, Elephant House, Nations Trust Bank, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, Nestomalt, DC Group, IPG Group and Rupavahini, who have joined hands with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to support the successful delivery of an international-standard marathon experience. Through their collective expertise, resources and commitment, these partners will play a key role in ensuring a professionally managed event that meets global standards while strengthening Colombo’s position as an emerging destination for sports tourism.
Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President – Colombo Hotels, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, said, “Colombo Marathon 2026 presents an exciting opportunity to bring a new dimension to Colombo’s event landscape by creating an experience that connects sport, hospitality and the city itself. At City of Dreams Sri Lanka, we believe in supporting initiatives that create memorable experiences for both local and international audiences, while enhancing Colombo’s appeal as a vibrant destination for major global events.”
Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President – Global Alliances & Partnerships and Head of Corporate Affairs, John Keells Holdings PLC, added, “Making Colombo a strong city brand requires world-class events that strengthen the soft power of both the city and the nation. Achieving this calls for committed stakeholders working through strong public-private partnerships that believe in initiatives capable of delivering lasting benefits for athletes, tourism and Sri Lanka’s global profile. Events such as the Colombo Marathon create opportunities that extend far beyond race day, generating positive economic, social and international impact for the country.”
The event also featured the unveiling of the official LPL Jaffna Kings jersey, which features the Colombo Marathon 2026 logo, further highlighting the growing collaboration between Sri Lanka’s sporting communities. Anil Mohan, Founder and CEO of IPG Group and Event Rights Holder of the Lanka Premier League, joined the Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister for the official unveiling. This was followed by a special appearance by Jaffna Kings Captain, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who took to the stage wearing the team’s official jersey and presented the Honourable Minister with the jersey.
The marathon, scheduled for 13 September 2026, will feature five categories for athletes of all levels, including the Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), 10 km Road Race, 5 km Fun Run, and Kids’ Mini Run. The event is expected to attract over 4,000 local and international participants, contributing towards Sri Lanka’s growing sports tourism sector while encouraging youth participation and healthier lifestyles.
To ensure compliance with international marathon standards, technical preparations are underway with an international measurement specialist set to certify the race route alongside Sri Lankan technical experts. Race operations will be supported by approximately 100 certified officials from Sri Lanka Athletics, ensuring accurate timing and professional race management.
Colombo Marathon 2026, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, is presented by Union Assurance, powered by Elephant House, and supported by Nations Trust Bank and City of Dreams Sri Lanka, with Nestomalt as Energised Partner, DC Group as Creative Partner, IPG Group as Sports Innovation Partner and Rupavahini as the Official Media Partner.
Registrations for Colombo Marathon 2026 are now open. Participants can now register and access further information on race categories, routes and event updates at www.colombomarathon.lk or contact Mr Thushara Perera on +94 77 253 5354 or Mr Jayalal Rathnasooriya on +94 71 812 8900.
