Philanthropy is a key pillar of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. United Way Mumbai (UWM) is official event’s philanthropy partner and all funds raised at the back of the event is on the philanthropy platform set by UWM on their website. 100% of the funds raised online on the UWM platform are disbursed to the NGO chosen (duly verified by UWM) by the individual fundraiser.
While there are a limited number of running places for Women, Youth (15-21yrs), Good for silver (65+yrs) in the Open 10K category, men must register for the Open 10K exclusively through philanthropy. For other race categories—namely the marathon, half marathon, and Dream Run—the charity route is one of the available modes of entry.
Participation through charity entails individuals to raise funds through donations for an NGO of their choosing. While the Open 10K and Dream Run have no qualifying timing requirement, applicants for the marathon and half marathon categories must meet the respective timing criteria, even when applying through the charity route. However, the timing requirement for the half marathon has been slightly relaxed for charity participants (timings given further below).
You can qualify for a Charity Fundraising bib in one of the following ways:
- Become a Change Runner
Raise a minimum of ₹2 lakh through at least 5 donors by 18th December 2026 to qualify for a bib across any race category (subject to availability and eligibility).
- Be an Early Bird Fundraiser
Raise a minimum of ₹10,000 with the help of at least 5 donors and be eligible to register for a race category of your choice - 200 bibs in each race category. Registration must be completed using a unique code provided upon qualification.
- Be Among the Top Fundraisers
From amongst all fundraisers who raise ₹10,000 or more from at least 5 donors, by 18th December 2026, top fundraisers (including Change Runners), will be eligible to register for their preferred race category – top 500 fundraisers per race category (subject to availability and eligibility), including early bird fundraisers. Higher fundraisers get preference in bib allocation.
Important:
- Running places shall be subject to availability of slots in the desired race category and fulfilment of event’s qualification criteria as applicable (including timing criteria for marathon and half marathon race categories).
- On qualifying, and where slot in selected race category is available, United Way Mumbai, event’s philanthropy partner, will send a unique code to the fundraiser to register on the event website and pay the requisite race fee.
- Where the individual does not complete the online registration process within stipulated timeline, such individual will not receive a number bib even if they qualify as fundraisers.
Timing cut-offs for individual fundraising and applying for the half marathon:
| Timing certificate of a *running event showing timing of either of the below distances | Qualifying timing for male runners | Qualifying timing for female runners |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon | Under 7 hr 18 min | Under 7 hr 49 min |
| Half Marathon | Under 3 hr 30 min | Under 3 hr 45 min |
| 25 km | Under 4 hr 12 min | Under 4 hr 30 min |
| 10 km | Under 1 hr 35 min | Under 1 hr 42 min |
* The running event must have been conducted within the period of 18 months preceding race day (17th January, 2027), i.e. on or after 17th July 2025. Other conditions for half marathon qualification criteria shall remain the same for a timing certificate to be accepted.
How does one become a fundraiser?
| Step 01 | Sign up/Log In: Create an account on the UWM website; sign-up at https://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/tmm/ If you have an existing account on UWM website, log in. |
| Step 02 | Update Your Fundraising Target: This target is flexible and can be changed at any time during the campaign. |
| Step 03 | Select Your Race Category: The selected race category cannot be changed later. Confirmation of participation is subject to qualification and event rules. |
| Step 04 | Select an NGO to Support: Choose the NGO you wish to support through your fundraising page. |
| Step 05 | Fill in your fundraising page details: Your appeal, team (if applicable), bio, add pictures and video. |
| Step 06 | Link your Page to a Group (optional): If you are part of a participating company or run club, select it from the drop down list to link your page to theirs. |
| Step 07 | Make the First Donation: Lead by example. |
| Step 08 | Start Fundraising: Share your fundraising page with friends, family and networks who contribute through the donate button on the page and can leave messages on your campaign. |