The men’s course record of the Standard Chartered Mumbai
Marathon is under serious threat in the 10th edition of the
event to be run on January 20, 2013, thanks to the super fast field of
international elite athletes assembled by Global Sports Communication (GSC),
the elite athlete coordinators to the event.
Defending champion Laban Moiben of Kenya, last year’s runner-up
Raji Assefa of Ethiopia and third placed John Kyui of Kenya have all confirmed
their participation for the 10th edition and are among the top
10 athletes who have clocked faster timings in 2012 than the existing course
record of 2:09.54, set in 2011 by Ethiopian Girma Assefa. Giving a fillip to
their efforts will be course record bonus of USD 15,000, which is being offered
for the first time by promoters Procam International.
Moiben and Assefa were locked in a close tussle for first place
in the 2012 edition and were both clocked at 2:10.48, with the Kenyan passing
through a fraction of a second ahead of the Ethiopian. This time, though, it’s
the Ethiopian Assefa who comes with the huge reputation of being the fastest
athlete in the field, having clocked 2:06.24 while winning the 2012 Paris
Marathon. Moiben too has had good run in 2012, defending his title in the
Ottawa Marathon, clocking a personal best of 2:09.13.
Also making a historic return to the Marathon is South African
Hendrick Ramaala, the winner of the inaugural event in 2004. After winning in
Mumbai, Ramaala went on to win the New York Marathon and emerged as one of the
leading marathoners in the world. Still running competitively at the age of 40,
Ramaala clocked 2:12 in the Dubai Marathon in 2012.
The other super fast male athletes in the field are Abraham
Girma of Ethiopia (2:06.28, Amsterdam 2012), Francis Kibiwott of Kenya
(2:07.32, Tiberias Marathon 2012), Elijah Kemboi of Kenya (2:07.51, Kosice
Marathon 2012), Shumi Eticha of Ethiopia (2:09.03, Stockholm Marathon 2011),
Joseph Maregu of Kenya (2:09.25), Joseph Kiptum of Kenya (2:09.56, Hannover
Marathon 2012) and William Kiplagat of Kenya
.
The women’s field will be led by Lishan Dula, an Ethiopian who
now represents Bahrain. Lishan has a personal best of 2:26.56, which she
clocked in the 2011 Rotterdam Marathon. Lishan will face competition from
Ethiopians Aberume Mekuria, winner of the 2012 Eindhoven Marathon, and
Yeshimebet Tadse, third place finisher at the 2012 LA Marathon. The other
notable names in the women’s field are Kenyans Valentin Kipketer, with a PB of
2:28.02, and Margaret Toritich, besides Ethiopians Dinknesh Mekash, Fantu Jimma
and Desta Tadesse.
A total of 40 elite athletes will take the starter’s flag on
January 20 with five pacemakers being pressed into action to force the pace.
For more Information Please conact:
Santosh Barodia – 9820509642, Santosh@zzebra.net
Neha Kandalgaonkar – 9892194965, neha@zzebra.net
Tanya Chopra – 9819170385, tanya@zzebra.net
Madhavi Mhatre – 9867841985, madhavi@zzebra.net
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