On Sunday morning, Navi Mumbai's Kharghar node woke up before dawn to the pounding footsteps of nearly 9,000 runners, turning the roads and hills into a massive sporting arena. The Kharghar Hill Mayor Marathon, organised by the Panvel Municipal Corporation, has given the city a sporting identity of its own.

The highlight was the 42-km full marathon, billed by the organisers as the country’s first full-distance hill marathon. With the race receiving AIMS certification, civic officials believe the event could attract runners from across the country and overseas in future editions.