Delhi all set for Vodafone half-marathon

Oct 27: Half-Marathon loses sheen as defending champions pull out of the event

Delhi is all set for the Sunday’s Vodafone half-marathon despite the defending champions Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkirui have withdrawn from the event due to the injuries they suffered in the preceding races this season.

The $160,000 mega event is the richest prize money half-marathon event in the world. The event might lose some sheen due to the last minute withdrawal of some of the key participants but organisers still believe that there is a rich field of Kenyan athletes who will make the jumbo event successful in a huge manner.

The Kenyan duo suffered the injuries during the World Half Marathon Championship in Rome two weeks back. Kibiwott is struggling with a calf injury while Chepkirui is nursing a knee problem.

Ian Ladbrokes, chief trainer of the foreign athletes, informed the reporters, "We have to start the Vodafone Half-Marathon on a sad note because we will be missing the defending champions. Francis and Lineth, who were the winners in the men's and the women's section last year and will not participate this time due to injuries.”

Sunday's race will still be competitive due to the presence of 2005 winners Philip Rugut and Russian Irina Timofeyeva in the men's and the women's section respectively. World No. 3 Kenyan Wilson Kiprotich is also one of the most deserving among other contenders for the championship.

"The presence of Philip and Timofeyeva will make the race competitive. But going by current form, Diudone Disi from Rwanda will be the favourite to win the men's race," said Ladbrokes.

Ram Singh Yadav, Deep Chand Saharan, Bhairav Singh Lone and R. B. Subba will spearhead the Indian challenge in the men’s event while Pampa Chanda, Reena Das, Vaishali Chatare, Preethi L. Rao and Kavita Raut will fight it out in the women’s event.

Indian coach K.S. Matthew is quite confident about his wards that they would put up a good show this time.

"We had a 10-day training session here last month. I am hopeful that my boys will put up a good show and try to finish within 65 minutes."

The No.1 long distance runner in the country, Army's Deep Chand, also looked hopeful, "I think this time we will have at least three Indians among the top 15," he said.

The route of the event has been altered as original the start and finish venue, Nehru Stadium, is unavailable due to renovation work being carried out.

The half-marathon will now start from Central Secretariat ground on Vinay Marg and move towards Africa Avenue, Hoshiyar Singh Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Prithviraj Road, Man Singh Road, Akbar Road, India Gate hexagon, Rajpath, Janpath and back.