Mumbai: The eleventh edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon has an impressive field of over hundred Indian men and women in the full and the half marathon category. Asia’s biggest marathon has attracted the cream of India’s long distance runners, all vying for a piece of the overall prize money as well as separate Indian prize fund, which will see the Indian full marathon winners getting richer by Rs 5 lakh each.
Addressing the media today , at the press conference were Ram Singh Yadav, winner of SCMM 2012, who also qualified for the London Olympics, Elam Singh, Karan Singh, Budha Ram, Sanvroo Yadav and Rashpal Singh.
Ram Singh Yadav clocked 2:16.59 in 2012, to qualify for the London Olympics, has run sparingly last year, preparing for this event. He is back after a break and in good spirits. Speaking at the press conference he stated, “ I am happy to be back, however last year has not been a good year for me. I have been battling with injuries and personal issues. I have trained hard now and hopefully will try to win.
Talking about the prize money and additional incentive for Indian runners, he said “ Prize money here is good and I am very happy that its increased , also the additional one lakh incentive will motivate runners to run even faster and break my record. I will also try to clock my personal best and aim to break the record of Shivanath Singh”
Defending champions and winner in 2010 and 2011, Lynghkoi Binning, not present for the conference will have to face tough opposition from the fastest athlete in the field, Ram Singh Yadav.
Elam Singh of ASI, Pune, who has a PB of 2:18.27, said, “ due to injury I could not qualify for the Olympics in 2012, but now I am ready to win Mumbai Marathon. I have trained hard under the guidance of my coaches at the Army Sports Training Centre and I have gained confidence after winning the Mawana Marathon and Allahabad Marathon.”
The other big names in the fray are V L Dangi and Budha Ram, Rashpal Singh, Karan Singh all capable of running below 2:21. Sanvroo Yadav, who ran a strong race while winning the Vasai VirarMarathon in October with a time of 2:21, is also among the contenders and so are Arvind Kumar Yadav and K C Ramu.
A total of 34 elite Indian full marathoners will take the starter’s flag.
The man’s half marathon also has a strong Indian contingent, with 2012 winner Shoji Mathew, BC Tilak, Indrajeet Patel, Yogesh Sardesai, Ajay Bir Singh and Vishram Meena among the contenders.