New Delhi: India’s top distance runners will be back for the Mawana Sugars Indian Open Marathon on the streets of the New Delhi on February 19. The Capital’s oldest and most popular marathon held under the aegis of the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) is the longest running marathon in the Capital and one of the oldest in the country.
This will be the 23rd staging of the marathon and the 30th anniversary of inaugural event held in 1982. It is also the only marathon to start and finish at the India Gate, the iconic monument and landmark of New Delhi.
The Mawana Sugars Indian Open Marathon has the status of being the National Championships and is open only to Indian nationals. It also serves as one of the qualification races for the selection of athletes for the London Olympics Marathon.
As part of the Group policy there will be equal prize money for men and women. “This is part of our policy and commitment to provide equal opportunity and empowerment to women sportspersons,” said Siddharth Shriram, Chairman, Mawana Sugars Limited. “We have supported women’s golf at the amateur level and we wish to ensure that we provide more opportunities to women sportspersons, too.”
Over the years the Group has supported women’s sport in a big way. Group Company Usha sponsors the Indian Golf Union’s Women’s Amateur events, including the All India Ladies Amateurs and last year they sponsored the Asia-Pacific championships, the Queen Sirikit Cup, when it was held in India. It also sponsored the Indian team.
The Indian Army which has been a big support for the event will once again be fielding a big team, including top national names. It is also supporting the Event by providing the Medical Cover and help in Ceremonials.
The winners in men’s and women’s section will receive Rs. 2.5 lakhs each and there will be cash prizes way down in the finishing order. A total of nearly Rs. 15 lakhs will be available in prizes.
Entries are still coming in and the last date is February 13, 2012.
ENTRIES CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Entries have opened for the 2012 edition and hundreds of online registrations have already taken place. The last date for entry is February 13, 2012 and the entry fee has been kept at a nominal Rs. 50 per runner.
The Marathon is open to all men and women above the age of 18 years as on 19 February 2012 for Full and Half Marathon. The Age criteria for veterans participating in the Full and Half Marathon is above 45 years for men and above 40 years for women with both requiring proof of age at the time of registration.
The event shall be conducted by the officials of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and the Delhi State Athletics Association and their decisions regarding timings and results etc. shall be final.
The Delhi Traffic Police will be providing traffic arrangements. All rules and regulations in full are available at the time of registration with the form.
