Half Marathon

Confirmation Criteria

Half Marathon Confirmation Criteria

Entry to the Half Marathon race category is only against a timing certificate, except limited places under Charity running places, as elaborated below. You must have fulfilled the requirements mentioned below, under each criterion, to apply for the half marathon category. Please go through all details mentioned below and the application form before submitting your application.

I] Timed Runner 

*'Applicants' Please note

You must have participated in a distance running event that fulfills the following requirements-

1. The running event must have been conducted on or after 1^st October 2024.

2. To be eligible for this confirmation under this criterion, your timing certificate needs to show your finish time as specified below:

3. Applicants will get their confirmation within 10 working days of registration.

4. Applicants can submit timing certificates of only those events wherein Race promoters/organizers need to follow the below-mentioned guidelines, for timing certificates of their races to be considered under the confirmation criteria. Where any of the guidelines are not followed by a promoter/organizer, or where there are many issues/complaints relating to timing, distance, or technical conduct of the race, Procam may, at its sole discretion, not accept the timing certificates of such running events. The decision of Procam in this regard will be final and binding.

1. The running event must have been conducted on or after 1^st October 2024
2. The course must be measured and certified by an AIMS / World Athletics accredited measurer (Grade A or Grade B) using the calibrated bicycle method (Jones Counter or equivalent), in accordance with the standards prescribed in the AIMS / World Athletics publication “The Measurement of Road Race Courses.” 
   Only courses measured and certified under these standards will be considered valid. 
   The AIMS / World Athletics International Course Measurement Certificate must be uploaded on the official event website and remain publicly accessible at all times. 
3. All runners must be compulsorily timed using RFID technology. 
4. Timing tags must be securely affixed to the bib prior to distribution. Loose timing chips/tags must not be handed directly to runners. 
5. In addition to timing mats at the Start and Finish gates, the following minimum split timing mats are mandatory: 
   • Full Marathon (42.195 km) – Minimum 3 split-point mats 
   • 25 km – Minimum 2 split-point mats 
   • Half Marathon (21.097 km) – Minimum 2 split-point mats 
   • 10 km– Minimum 1 split-point mat 
6. Provisional race results must be published within 12 hours of the official race close time. Final race results and downloadable timing certificates must be available online and verifiable. Split timings from the minimum required mats must be clearly visible. Certificates showing insufficient splits or missing split data will not be accepted. 

5. The qualification timings mentioned above (point 2) will be considered only for confirmation eligibility of an applicant in the Half Marathon race category. Timing results, rankings and certificates of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 will be generated only for runners who complete the 21.097 distance within 3 hour 30 minutes from their start time.

6. Please note that accepting timing certificates of an event for entry confirmation is at the sole discretion of the Event Promoter, Procam International.

7. GUIDELINES FOR RACE PROMOTERS / ORGANISERS AND ADVISORY FOR RUNNERS

If any guideline is not followed, or if substantial issues/complaints arise regarding timing accuracy, course distance, operational conduct, technical management, or runner verification, Procam International reserves the right to reject timing certificates from such events. Procam’s decision in this regard shall be final and binding.

1. Event Date Requirement

The running event must have been conducted on or after 1^st October 2024.

2. No Claim as Official Qualifier

The event must not state verbally, in writing, or by implication that it is an “official qualifier” for any Procam event, including but not limited to:

• TCS World 10K Bengaluru
• Tata Mumbai Marathon
• Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon
• Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata

This restriction applies across all communication platforms including:

• Website
• Social media
• Marketing material
• Press releases
• Email communication
• Certificates

Any misleading representation may lead to disqualification of timing certificates from that event.

3. Course Measurement Standards

To ensure distance accuracy, fairness, and integrity of qualifying  performance, the following standards are mandatory:

3.1 Measurement Authority

The course must be measured by:

• An AIMS / World Athletics accredited measurer (Grade A or Grade B)
• Using the calibrated bicycle method (Jones Counter or equivalent)
• Course measurement must strictly follow the standards prescribed in the AIMS / World Athletics publication “The Measurement of Road Race Courses.” The latest version of the document may be accessed via the official AIMS website. (https://aims-worldrunning.org/course-measurement.html)

Only courses measured and certified under these standards will be considered valid.

3.2 Race Day Course Compliance 

a) Deviation & Re-Certification Clause   
If any deviation from the originally certified course is identified  whether intentional or accidental , the modified course must be re-measured and re-certified by the accredited course measurer.

Failure to obtain such re-certification shall result in:

• Timing certificates from that edition of the event are not considered for Procam races.

b) Short Course Clause and not accepting timing for Procam events   
If the course is found to be short for any reason whatsoever including but not limited to:

• Incorrect course layout
• Altered turning points
• Barricading errors
• Operational mismanagement
• Measurement discrepancies

Then:

• No timing certificate from any race category of that specific edition of the event will be considered for Procam races.

Procam International’s determination in such matters shall be final and binding.

3.3 Public Disclosure

An AIMS / World Athletics International Course Measurement Certificate must be:

• Uploaded on the official event website
• Publicly accessible at all times

The certificate must include:

• Race name and distance
• Certificate number
• Name and grade of the accredited measurer
• Measurement date and validity period

If the event does not have an official website or digital presence, the course measurement certificate must be emailed to: vdhm@procam.in  

Failure to provide verifiable course measurement certificate may result in rejection of timing certificates. 

4. Timing System Requirements

Accurate and tamper-proof timing is mandatory.

4.1 RFID Timing (Compulsory)

• All runners must be timed using RFID technology.
• Timing tags must be securely affixed to the bib prior to distribution.
• Loose timing chips must not be handed directly to runners.

4.2 Minimum Split Timing Mats

In addition to timing mats at the Start and Finish gates, the following minimum split mats must be installed:

• Full Marathon (42.195 km) – Minimum 3 split-point mats
• 25 km – Minimum 2 split-point mats
• Half Marathon (21.097 km) – Minimum 2 split-point mats
• 10 km – Minimum 1 split-point mat

4.3 Results Timeline

• Provisional results must be published within 12 hours of the official race close time.
• Final results and downloadable timing certificates must be made available online.
• Split timings from the minimum required mats must be clearly visible.

Certificates showing insufficient splits or missing split data will not be accepted.

5. Runner Verification & Anti-Cheat Mechanisms

To maintain race integrity, organisers must implement robust verification and anti-cheat measures.

5.1 Runner Identity Verification

Adequate mechanisms must be in place to confirm that:

• The individual who registered is the same individual who ran the race.

Examples include:

• Bib-photo matching
• ID verification at bib collection
• Controlled bib distribution process

5.2 Anti-Cheat Infrastructure

The event must ensure:

• Functional timing mats at required split points
• Operational cameras at key junctions (with footage available for verification if required)
• On-ground officials stationed at crucial course points

If a substantial number of finishers show missing split data or irregular timing patterns, Procam reserves the right to not accept certificates from that event.

6. Operational Integrity on Race Day

Even if all pre-event guidelines are met, race-day execution must ensure full operational integrity.

If any operational issues occur on race day — including but not limited to:

• Shorter course distance
• Incorrect route deviation
• Missing or malfunctioning timing mats
• Unauthorised course alterations
• Technical failures impacting timing accuracy

and such issues are formally highlighted, verified, and proven to have materially impacted timing results, Procam International, will not accept timing certificates from that event for qualification purposes, even if the organiser has otherwise complied with the defined guidelines.

We encourage each race to appoint a designated team member as an Observer, who will be responsible for ensuring adherence to race measurement standards and guidelines, on Race Day .

Procam’s decision in such cases shall be final .

7. Acceptable Event Categories

Eligible qualifying performances must be from on-ground distance:

• 10 km
• Half Marathon
• 25 km
• Full Marathon

The following are not accepted:

• Virtual events
• Trail runs
• Uncertified races

Timing certificates must reflect net (chip) time from the certified course.

Each Procam event may prescribe distinct qualifying distance requirements. Organisers and runners are advised to refer to the official confirmation criteria of VDHM 2026 before relying on a timing certificate for qualification purposes.

II]    Women’s Criteria (Timed runner only)

To encourage women's participation, there are a limited number of running places reserved for women applicants. To get confirmed, women applicants also need to submit a timing certificate from a distance running event, with net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in the ‘Timed Runner’ criteria given above. Registration in this criterion will be on a first-come first first-served basis.

III] Youth Age Criteria (Timed runner only)

To encourage participation among young runners aged 18 to 21 years as on 17.10.2026, a limited number of running places are reserved under the Youth Age Criteria within the Half Marathon category. Applicants under this criterion will need to submit a timing certificate from a distance running event, with a net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in ‘Timed Runner’ criteria given above, to get confirmed. Registration in this criterion will be on a first come first served basis.

IV] Good for Silver (65+) Age criteria (Timed runner only)

To encourage participants aged 65 years and above as on 17.10.2026, a limited number of running places are reserved under Good for Silver Age Criteria within the Half Marathon Applicants under this criterion will need to submit a timing certificate, from a distance running event, with net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in ‘Timed Runner’ criteria given above, to get confirmed. Registration in this criterion will be on a first come first served basis.

V] Guaranteed Running Places – SportyTrip Concierge Packages (Timed runner only)

A limited number of Guaranteed Running Places in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon – Half Marathon race category are available exclusively to runners booking the official SportyTrip Concierge Package, subject to package availability, timing qualification requirements of the race, applicable event rules & regulations, and availability of running places.

Runners interested in availing the Concierge Package may visit SportyTrip to complete their booking. Upon successful package confirmation, the registrant will receive a unique registration code on their email id enabling them to register and pay for the Half Marathon race category .

Please note that possession of a Concierge Package alone does not constitute race registration. All runners are mandatorily required to complete the official race application process using the provided registration code, within the applicable registration timelines.

Applicants under this criterion will need to submit a timing certificate, from a distance running event, with net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in ‘Timed Runner’ criteria given above, to get confirmed. Registration in this criterion will be on a first come first served basis.

VI]   Charity Running Places:

NGOs registered with the event's philanthropy partner, Lakshyaa, have been allotted limited charity running places, which can be availed by applicants directly through the participating NGOs. Charity running places will be available with the participating NGOs for a donation from 17th July 2026 till 6th October 2026, or until charity running places last, whichever is earlier. Applicants, under charity running places, will also need to submit – Mandatory documents required for application submission, eg: Govt. approved personal photo identification document.

For information on Charity Running Places and the list of participating NGOs, log on to https://share.google/CxNqBJPBz2QqhklLt or reach out to us at vdhm@lakshyaa.co.in  or +91 8851505795.

All applicants and confirmed participants of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 are requested to visit the event website for regular updates.

Applicants who had applied for and got confirmed in the Half Marathon race category will get allotted start wave for race day start (18th October 2026) based on the finish timings mentioned on respective timing certificates submitted at the time of application.

 Benefits Of Providing A Latest And Fastest Timing Certificate During Registration:

• Faster Confirmation: Providing a timing certificate during registration ensures quicker processing and confirmation of Half Marathon application within 10 working days.
• Start Wave On Race Day: Submitting a latest and fastest timing certificate during Half Marathon registration secures a start wave allocation on race day based on the timing performance. Those who missed providing a timing certificate initially can still submit one via email until 20th September 2026, for start wave allocation.