Richard Hadlee, Jackie Joyner named Half marathon ambassadors

New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) Former New Zealand pacer Ricahrd Hadlee and American sprinter Jackie Joyner Kersee have been roped in as event ambassadors of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon scheduled to be held on Nov 9.

The fourth edition of the run will see around 25,000 athletes, including world's top 40 long distance runners, competing in the $21,000 prize money event.

Defending champions in men's and women's event -- Deriba Merga and Deriba Alemu of Ethopia -- have already confirmed their entries.

'Sir Richard Hadlee has agreed to be the event ambassador and joining him will be Jackie Joyner Kersee. The defending champions have also confirmed their participation,' said Vivek Singh of Procam International, the promoter of the event.

Other big names to participate in men's section are Tanzanian Dickson Marwa Mkami, Regassa Tilahun and Tadesse, Ethopia's Tola Woldegebrel, Dieudonne Disi of Rwanda and Kenyan Joseph Maregu.

The women's field will have Kenyans Peninah Arusei, Salina Kosgei, Magdalene Mukunzi and Pauline Wangui, and Ethiopians Asakale Tafa Magarsa and Azalech Maresha among others.