The sixth edition of the Kolkata Police Safe Drive Save Life Half Marathon (KPSDSL) will feature a Qualifier category in the Half Marathon and 10Km distances for the World Masters Athletics Championships 2026, which will be held in Daegu, South Korea, from August 22 to September 3, 2026, according to a statement released by the Kolkata Police.

Because of this, the Kolkata Police Half Marathon is not only a celebration of a healthy running ecosystem but also a premium competitive goal for athletes over 35, making it one of the most sought-after events in the nation. This race, which will take place on January 18, 2026, was started by the Kolkata Police in collaboration with the Transport Department, Government of West Bengal, and is sponsored by Gamechangerz. It will alter Kolkata’s distance running culture.

 Shri Manoj Kumar Verma, IPS, Learned Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, said, “Every daybreak serves as a reminder that compassion and discipline are the two pillars upon which a megacity is built. Both are embodied in Safe Drive Save Life. This half-marathon is a living example of how it has evolved from a message to a civic habit. Runners demonstrate to Kolkata what true shared responsibility looks like when they abide by the rules and support one another”.

Shri Pandey Santosh, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police (IV), said, “As a runner, my objective is straightforward: world-class accuracy with Kolkata’s distinctive heart. Every component, including calibrated courses, uniformed pacers, and medical preparedness, is meant to provide athletes a sense of direction, safety, and visibility. This race is more than just an event; it’s a means for Indian runners to compete internationally thanks to MAFI approval and World Masters qualifying status”.

The Kolkata Police Safe Drive Save Life Half Marathon 2026 is a completely waste-managed event that incorporates philanthropy.

Athletes 35 years of age and older can compete in World Masters Athletics in conventional 5-year age categories (35–39, 40–44, 45–49, etc.). While competing in the same age groups, men and women compete in different gender categories. Subject to registration and approval by the Masters Athletics Federation of India, any athlete who satisfies the age criterion may be eligible.

An athlete must register with their national masters organization (the Masters Athletics Federation of India, or MAFI in India) in order to compete. They can be entered through their protocols or directly by the national body. Indian masters athletes are selected and entered by MAFI, the World Masters Athletics and Asian Masters Athletics affiliate.

Official time is used by MAFI to process the athlete’s entry. The half-marathon and 10K are the two qualifying events for athletes at the Kolkata Police Safe Drive, Save Life Half Marathon.

Priyanka Dutta