Delhi: India’s Test Cricket captain, Virat Kohli will be the ‘Face of the Event’ of New Delhi Marathon which will see more than 15,000 participants take to the streets on the last Sunday of February. There are 3 categories to the event – 42 km Full Marathon, 21 km Half Marathon, and 5K Swacch Bharat Run that aims to promote the message of a clean and green India.
The Prize pot for this event is Rs 35 Lacs across elite and age-group categories. The elite event entry is restricted to Indian nationals only in order to promote running as a sport in India.
Adidas will be the Running Partner for the upcoming event, and will be conducting special running clubs to help enthusiasts take to running as a fitness platform. Accredited by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon has been conferred the title of ‘National Marathon Championship 2016’ - athletes with a good performance will have a chance to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. In addition, performance will also lead to national ranking for runners for the year 2016.
In keeping with a strong sense of equality and sportsmanship, this unique event will be India’s first ‘inclusive’ marathon which will see differently-abled participants run alongside other marathoners. Participation for this marathon will give winning participants an opportunity to seek jobs and apply for promotions with the Central Government, yet another unique aspect of the newest marathon to be launched in the country.
Major D P Singh, a 3-time Limca record holder, and the first Indian blade runner, along with The Challenging Ones (TCO), a group of 20 blade runners led by him, will also participate in the IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon in the capital city. The Kargil war veteran has been spearheading the cause of ‘Ability from Disability’ and will be seen leading a large group of amputees for the run on 28th February in New Delhi.
