Amidst great fanfare12th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon took place on an early Sunday morning… The marathon included the full Marathon (42.195 km) and the Half marathon (21.097 km), the annual event also included a corporate champions race, a police cup (for Mumbai Police), a dream run, a senior citizen’s run and a run for champions with disability.
The marathon starts opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. It passes many of the city’s iconic locations such as Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Haji Ali, Mahim Church, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Ethiopians Tesfaye Abera, a rank outsider, and defending champion Dinknesh Mekash clinched the men’s and women’s titles respectively and the top prize of $41,000 in the12th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on Sunday. Runner O P Jaisha, an Asian Games medallist in 1,500m and 5,000m events, made a memorable marathon debut on Sunday by breaking the 19-year-old national mark of Vally Satyabhama to qualify for the World Championships in Beijing later this year.bai Marathon on Sunday.
Many celebrities also participated in the marathon among them were Anil Ambani, John Abraham, Gul Panag, Rahul Bose were the first ones to arrive and also completed the entire marathon.
Mumbai Marathon is one of the richest race in India with a a prize pool of US $350,000. It can be said it is the biggest fund raising program in the Indian Sub continent. Tata, Sun Pharma, LIC, Mahindra and Mahindra participated in full force. Some were raising funds for the child education. Some were promoting their culture 9dressed in traditional attires and many were giving out social messages.
The participants were very enthusiastic to take part from all age groups young, old, male females. In terms of old a man of 80 years had also participated. Man received injuries but were quickly whisked away for immediate medical treatment. A full team of medical doctors were present at the medical camp. A Japanese runner had cramps and just could not stand. RNI editor Govind Ghimire suggested him to immediately go to the medical camp. He could not understand English but later was helped by his team mate.
In the event a lot of loitering was seen. Aam Admi Party volunteers were in full force sweeping and cleaning the area. We wondered where were the Swach Bharat Abhiyan volunteers. Is it just a publicity stunt?
Participating in the short distance run was War Wounded Foundation led by Retired lt Gen Vijay Oberoi. Speaking to RNI LT Gen Oberoi said the foundation help army personnel wounded in the counter insurgent and counter –terrorist activities. The disabled soldiers become productive citizens with the medical and financial help of the foundation. The foundation entirely runs on donations received by well wishers. It has no support of the government what so ever. General Dalbir Singh is the patron of War Wounded Foundation.
