New Delhi: The new course for this year’s Delhi Half Marathon (DHM) is one its kind and would be a feat for the runners feels, Hugh Jones, the race director. The 21.097 kms course which would go round across the Central Delhi and would have its start and end points at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) instead of Vinay Marg as on last year would be a smooth one due to the renovation done prior to the Commonwealth Games last year.
“This year’s run would see a lot of new things. The road surface is very good and it is mainly because of huge roads built ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The course is very smooth,” said Jones.
“There is a very little elevation in the course and there is high prospect of faster times. The roads are wider, smooth and most turns are thorough slip roads which make it very gentle, hence less physically demanding like previous years,” he added.
Jones who looked very impressed with track went ahead and compared the course with the one on which the Marathon event for the 2012 London Olympics would be held. “I have just come in from London and I can say that the course for the Delhi Half Marathon is better than the roads on which the Marathon at the London Olympics will be run.” Jones said.
Dave Cundy, the technical director of the race also gave a thumbs up to the course and feels that it is indeed one of the best courses of the world. “This is one of the best courses around the world for Half Marathon. It is very flat and smooth. If everything goes well and the weather is fine on Sunday, some great timing would be recorded,” said Dave.
Dave finds the course quite similar to the course of the 2004 World Half Marathon Championships, which was held in Delhi and is delighted with the fact that the race has returned back to the JLN Stadium.
Dave feels that DHM has become a trendsetter in the country and is exposing the country to long distance running. “In Asia, distance running is a prominent feature in Japan and Korea. Now, it is gaining importance in India as well. The increasing participation from international and national athletes in the Delhi Half Marathon speaks about its success and shows that India is emerging as distance running country,” said Dave.
The race which would take place on November 27th would see 9000 runners taking part in it, and enough preparations are being made including cheering zone to make the event look like a festival.
Vivek Singh, joint managing director of Procam International, the promoters of the event has confirmed that celebrities like Bipasha Basu, the brand Ambassador of DHM, Gul Panag, and Rahul Bose to name a few would make appearance on the race day.
Meanwhile to give medical assistance during the race Fortis would set up two base camps, six medical stations and would run seven ambulances throughout the route along in addition to 200 medical personnel.
