IAAF man takes charge of Mumbai marathon

MUMBAI: While many firsts would be added to the 8th edition of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon - like enhanced facilities for full and half marathoners, more medical stations and ambulances along the race route, including five medics on bikes, and much more - this is one 'first' that could have been avoided had the Athletics Federation of India taken a more pro-active stance.
The SCMM, since its inception in 2004, was being run under the aegis of the AFI - athletics' ruling body in India - till last year. But the 2011 race will be the first time that AFI won't be ratifying the results.
Rather, it will be Dave Cundy, from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), who will function as the technical delegate besides doubling up as the race referee. Cundy works with both the IAAF as well as the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), which promotes distance running across the world. The Australian, one of the most experienced marathon directors in the world and who has been the race director of the famous Canberra Marathon since 1980, also oversaw last year's Delhi Half Marathon and Bangalore 10K.
"Till last year an AFI representative (Adille Sumariwalla) was ratifying the results, but this time it will be done by Dave Cundy," said a Procam official, adding that the SCMM will also have the support of Maharashtra athletics association's technical officials.
The AFI-Procam tiff started with last year's Bangalore 10K run. The federation reportedly asked for a steep increase in capitation fee for giving its nod to the event, which was not acceded to by Procam. The AFI even warned the Indian runners against taking part in the event, which, though, was not heeded by the athletes.
"We are still ready to work together. We even wrote to the AFI about this event but have received no reply from them so far. We therefore approached the IAAF and AIMS who agreed to send Cundy. The state athletic association's technical officials will also be helping us out," the official added.
SCMM race director Hugh Jones said he was pained by the AFI's stance. "I would call it lack of response on the part of the AFI. This is a Gold label event and one of the top and best-organized marathons in the world. AFI cooperated with us for the past seven years, and it's sad that they have now taken this stance. But we can't do much about it now," said Jones.
When contacted, Sumariwalla, who is now the AFI vice-president, said he will take up the issue at the federation's general body meeting in February. "As far as AFI is concerned it's a private event, so we have nothing much to say at this point. But we are not going to take things lying down. I am going to raise this issue at the federation's AGM in February. If required, we will also take up the issue with the IAAF," he fumed.