Before the starting gun fires, the Expo sets the tone.There is a moment that defines race weekend, and it does not happen on the course. For participants of the Times Internet Marathon 2026, it happens at the Expo.On March 27 and 28, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium becomes the first real checkpoint of the race weekend. Not a logistics stop, not a photo opportunity, but the point where preparation becomes the race itself. It is where runners arrive carrying weeks, often months, of training, and leave carrying something more tangible: their race identity.The purpose of the Expo is straightforward. It is where participants collect their official race kits, jersey, bib, and event essentials. But a logistical read of it misses the point. The Expo is where the marathon stops being a date on the calendar. The details matter. Timings are structured to ensure smooth access, 10 AM to 6 PM on Friday, March 27, and 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, March 28. There is no race-day distribution. Missing the Expo does not delay participation; it prevents it. In that sense, attendance is not optional, it is foundational.At the centre of the kit is the marathon bib. A simple piece of material, yet one that carries layered significance. It is an identification, timing mechanism, and memory marker all at once. Embedded with a tracking chip, the bib records a runner’s journey across checkpoints, translating effort into measurable performance. After the race, it becomes the key to finding one’s official photographs, moments of strain, pace, and finish preserved against a number that is uniquely yours.Equally important is the process itself. Verification, collection, and preparation form a quiet ritual. For those unable to attend, proxy collection ensures accessibility, provided the representative carries a valid ID copy, confirmation message, and the runner’s bib details. It is a system designed for efficiency, but anchored in accountability.Beyond kits and counters, the Expo offers something less defined but deeply felt. It is where first-time runners observe seasoned ones, where pacing strategies are discussed in passing, where uncertainty meets reassurance. Partner stalls, information desks, and volunteer guidance contribute to an ecosystem that prepares runners not just physically, but mentally.The jersey is no longer folded away. The bib is no longer a number on an email. The experience has already begun.By the time runners step out of the stadium grounds, there is a noticeable shift in energy. Conversations sharpen. Plans solidify. The city, too, begins to feel different, not as a backdrop, but as a course waiting to be run.Race day, on March 29, will demand endurance, discipline, and resolve. But the first decisive step does not happen at the start line.It happens here.For Expo details, guidelines, and real-time updates: @timesinternetmarathon
