Winter Event Calendar: 3 Events to Book This Month

Winter is when India's endurance calendar comes alive: cool mornings, clear roads and big goals. The catch is that the best events have early deadlines, and the training has to start well before the start line. This guide picks three events that are live on Feet and Pedals® right now, a half marathon in Mathura and two multi-day cycling tours, and gives you the dates that matter, how far to count back and what to check before you book.

Three Events for Winter

Each one suits a different goal: a one-morning run with distances for the whole family, a long coastal ride and a heritage ride through Rajasthan.

Count Back From the Start Line

Pick your date first, then count back. For both cycling tours, the organiser suggests preparing for 2 to 3 months with cardio, strength work and practice rides. That makes this week the right time to start for Rajasthan, and it means Mumbai to Goa suits riders who are already riding regularly.

• Half marathon: about 7 weeks remain to 27 Dec. That works if you already run 10K comfortably. If not, pick the 10K or 5K and enjoy it. Our guide to your first half marathon has a simple outline.
• Multi-day tour: build to back-to-back long rides on weekends, because the hard part is riding day after day, not one big day.
• Everyone: add easy weeks, sleep well and check with your doctor before you start a new plan.

Dates to Put in Your Calendar

• 16 Nov 2026: balance due for the Mumbai to Goa Cycling Tour.
• 25 Nov 2026: early bird prices end for the Mathura half marathon.
• 25 and 26 Dec 2026: race kit and bib collection in Mathura, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Ganeshra Stadium.
• 29 Dec 2026: balance due for Tour de Rajasthan.

Set a phone reminder a few days before each one. A missed balance date is the easiest way to lose a place you have already paid for.

Dress for Cold Starts

A 4:00 AM flag-off in late December or a sunrise roll-out on a tour can be colder than you expect. Exercise physiologists at the Hospital for Special Surgery suggest a few simple habits:

• Warm up properly with squats, lunges and high knees to raise your muscle temperature before you start.
• Layer up: a snug, moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating middle layer and a ventilated outer layer for wind.
• Cover your hands, feet and ears with gloves, warm socks and a cap or headband.
• Recover between sessions, and cool down after each one.

For riders, a windproof jacket matters most on long descents. Our gear checklist for rides, runs and treks covers the rest.

Before You Book

• Read what is included. Both tours include stays, meals and support vehicles, but not train or flight tickets to the start or back home.
• Check the refund rules. The Mathura entry cannot be refunded. The tours have a cancellation table on the event page, so read it before you pay.
• Plan your travel. Mumbai to Goa ends in Goa and Tour de Rajasthan ends in Udaipur, so book your return early.
• Choose your T-shirt size (S to XXL) at booking if you are running the Mathura 21K or 10K.
• Keep your e-ticket handy. Every booking comes with a QR e-ticket and a GST invoice.

Winter is the season most of us train all year for, and the best places go early. Pick one goal this week, put the date in your calendar and let your training follow it. On Feet and Pedals® you can see the price, the plan and the deadlines in one place before you book.

Amit Daga, Founder and CEO, Feet and Pedals®