Key facts
- The 9th Spice Coast Marathon was run on 27 October 2024 at Marine Drive, Kochi, with over 8,000 participants, according to The Bridge.
- C. B. Benson won the 2024 Spice Coast full marathon in 3:00:42 and Reena Manohar won the women’s race in 4:50:06, according to The Bridge.
- The first Federal Bank Kochi Marathon was held on 1 May 2023, according to Federal Bank’s own blog.
- The 2025 Federal Bank Kochi Marathon was held on 9 February 2025, after a launch event on 28 November 2024, according to Federal Bank.
- The launch event for the 2026 Federal Bank Kochi Marathon was held on 27 September 2025, according to Aster Medcity.
Two races, two styles
The Spice Coast Marathon grew out of Kochi’s running club scene. It is organised by Soles of Cochin (reported in some places as Soles of Kochi), with an insurance company as title sponsor in recent years, and is held each October. Race guides describe it as a community event without prize money and with a heritage-route focus around the old city and the backwaters. Its organisers’ race listing says Soles of Cochin has organised it since 2014.
The Federal Bank Kochi Marathon is a newer, larger-budget event, organised by the sports management firm CleoSportz with Federal Bank as title sponsor. After a first edition on 1 May 2023, the organisers moved it to February; a running blog that tracks the race attributes the move to May’s heat and humidity. Recent editions have started and finished at the Maharaja’s College ground in Ernakulam, with full, half, 10 km and short fun-run categories.
Timeline of editions we could date
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Soles of Cochin begins organising the Spice Coast Marathon | Organisers’ race listing (via ITRA/blog) |
| 1 May 2023 | First Federal Bank Kochi Marathon | Federal Bank blog |
| 2023 | Spice Coast half marathon won by Jose Ellickal and Trupti Katkar Chavan | Running blog (fatmarathoner) |
| Feb 2024 | Second Federal Bank Kochi Marathon | Running blog (fatmarathoner) |
| 27 Oct 2024 | 9th Spice Coast Marathon at Marine Drive; 8,000+ participants | The Bridge |
| 28 Nov 2024 | Launch event for the 2025 Kochi Marathon | Federal Bank |
| 9 Feb 2025 | Third Federal Bank Kochi Marathon | Federal Bank |
| 27 Sep 2025 | Launch event for the 2026 Kochi Marathon | Aster Medcity |
| 8 Feb 2026 | Fourth Federal Bank Kochi Marathon, Maharaja’s College ground; 8,000+ runners reported | Running blog (fatmarathoner) |
| 25 Oct 2026 | Spice Coast Marathon scheduled (after this page’s date) | Running blog (fatmarathoner) |
Rows sourced to a running blog are not confirmed by an official or news source; treat them as reported. We did not find the date of the first Spice Coast Marathon or a full list of its editions.
The 2024 Spice Coast results
The best-documented edition in our sources is 2024. On Sunday 27 October 2024, the 9th Spice Coast Marathon started from Marine Drive, and The Bridge reported more than 8,000 participants across formats. C. B. Benson won the men’s full marathon in 3 hours 0 minutes 42 seconds, after finishing second in the two previous editions, and Reena Manohar won the women’s full marathon in 4:50:06. In the half marathon, Sajith K. M. won the men’s race in 1:21:23 and A. K. Rama the women’s in 1:55:33.
Running from Kalamassery
Both races start early in the morning, before the first trains on some days, which matters if you live in Kalamassery. Runners from the north side usually arrange a lift, ride a two-wheeler or take a very early bus; check whether the organisers announce early metro services for race day. Our Kochi metro tips and two-wheeler living guide help. For training closer to home, see gyms, grounds and fitness in Kalamassery and quieter roads and daily routes. Public bicycles have their own story in Kochi’s public bike history.
Why this history matters near the NAD signal
Kochi’s running calendar has grown from a club race to two big events in barely a decade, and many participants are students and young professionals from the city’s edges, including Kalamassery. If you are training here, the early-morning roads around the NAD Road signal are quieter than the city centre. Ashraf Gents Hostel is a men’s hostel and PG at Ashraf house, NAD Road, with monthly and daily stays; rates are confirmed on the call. More local history is on the archive hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Spice Coast Marathon and the Kochi Marathon?
The Spice Coast Marathon is run each October by the Soles of Cochin club; the Federal Bank Kochi Marathon, organised by CleoSportz, began in May 2023 and is now held in February.
When was the first Federal Bank Kochi Marathon?
On 1 May 2023, according to Federal Bank’s blog.
Who won the 2024 Spice Coast Marathon?
C. B. Benson (3:00:42) and Reena Manohar (4:50:06) won the full marathon, according to The Bridge.
Where do the races start?
The 2024 Spice Coast Marathon started at Marine Drive; recent Kochi Marathon editions have used the Maharaja’s College ground. Check each year’s race guide.
Related guides
Sources
- The Bridge: Benson, Reena win Kochi Spice Coast Marathon titles (27 October 2024)
- Federal Bank: Federal Bank Kochi Marathon 2025
- Federal Bank blog: Kochi Marathon – Federal Bank shines spotlight on health
- Aster Medcity: Official launch of Federal Bank Kochi Marathon 2026
- Fat Marathoner: Federal Bank Kochi Marathon runner’s guide
- Fat Marathoner: Kochi Spice Coast Marathon 2026 race guide
Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed . How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.
Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Kochi Marathons and Runs: Past Editions.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/kochi-marathon-and-running-events-history/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.