Kenyan runners Stanley Lelieto, (L), Daniel Rono (C) and Desse Mandago Kipkorir run during the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2006 in Mumbai, 15 January 2006. (© AFP/Getty Images)
Everything about Mumbai (former Bombay) is big, and the marathon is no exception. More than 30,000 people thronged the streets of the Indian metropolis on Sunday morning (15) to participate in five different race categories of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, and as expected course records fell in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The 3rd edition of the marathon, now an integral part of the city’s yearly life, saw intense competition as athletes from more than 20 countries fought for top places. A large number of athletes with sub-2:10 personal bests (PB) turned out for this year’s event not only for individual prizes but also for the nations’ challenge. Mumbai was the third leg of Greatest Race on Earth series, with races in Nairobi, Singapore and Hong Kong the others in the series.
MEN
Kenyan Simon Kasmili did the front running at the initial stages of the race covering 10km in 34:10, 14.1km in 48:21 and halfway at 67:55. However, he dropped out soon afterwards having completed his pace making duties as compatriot Stanley Leleito - winner of the 2005 Zurich marathon - took over the lead at 23.2km in 72:32. He led the pack till fellow countryman Daniel Rono took over about 10km from the finish. Rono increased his pace with every step in the last few kilometres to break the finishing tape in 2:12:03, a personal best and a new course record which fetched him USD 30,000 in prize money.
Kenyans Mandego Kipkorir (2:12:18) and Stanley Leleito (2:12:47) took the next two spots behind Rono.
WOMEN
Ethiopian Mulu Seboka’s story was different. She won last year’s edition of the women’s race in Mumbai in 2:35:03, and went on to clock a PB of 2:30:54 when finishing 9th in London last April. Seboka, 22, arrived in Mumbai this year intent on improving her career best but was disappointed as there was no stiff competition to push her. The Ethiopian ran the entire distance solo, though Inga Abitova of Russia, the winner in Beograd last April (2:38:20 - PB), made a last ditch effort to catch Seboka in the last stages but could not get close enough.
Seboka stopped the clock in 2:33:15 to defend her title, and take the USD 20,000 prize purse and improve her own course and Indian all-comers’ record. Abitova finished second with a PB of 2:33:55. Leila Aman of Ethiopia (2nd in Mumbai last year) settled for a third place finish in 2:36:17.
Indians excel in half-marathon
The Indian athletes swept the top placings in the half marathon with Ram Bahaur Subba winning the men’s title in 67:26, a PB. Mukesh Kumar (67:31) and Jagannadh Lakade (67:58) took the next two spots.
Sarabjeet Kaur (81:48), Deepika Biswas (83:50) and Savita Devi (84:25) respectively claimed the first three positions in the women’s race.
Nathu Ram (2:24:45) and Leelamma Alphonso (3:02:40) were the top Indian finishers in the full marathon.
More than just an international marathon, the Mumbai event promotes charity for noble causes through the staging of a 7Km Dream Run, with as much as Rupees Five Crores (approx. USD 1.2 million) raised to support more than 120 institutions in India.
Many leading personalities took part in the half marathon and dream run. Actor Milind Soman and Industrial tycoon Anil Ambani were notable participants in the half marathon, while his wife and yesteryear filmstar Tina Ambani along with cricketer Md. Azharuddin participated in the Dream Run.
The full marathon was sent-off jointly by the Maharashtra Governor S.M. Krishna and IAAF Council Member Suresh Kalmadi. Sports Minister Oscar Fernandez and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh started the half marathon race.
Ram. Murali Krishnan for the IAAF
