NEW DELHI: India’s best long-distance runners will be at the starting line of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) here on Sunday morning. The World Athletics’ Gold Label road race e vent is set to feature over 36,000 runners from 17 countries in five categories. The elite Indian marathoners, who have consistently proven their mettle on both natio nal and international stage, will look to record their personal bests (PBs) and also strive to create a new course record.
In the men’s category, Kiran Matre, fresh from his victory at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru where he clocked a PB of 29:32, is ready to make a significant impact. “As a part of the Army, we are taught to stay focused and dedicated. I have brought this into my practice for half marathons and it has helped me improve as an athlete. I suffered an injury a month back and it was literally a race against time to get fi t for the VDHM. I am thankful to my coach and everyone around who helped me through this process. I hope to make them proud,” said Matre.
He will face stiff competition from Sawan Barwal, who was a bronze medallist at the last edition. His impressive credentials include an individual bronze and team gold at the Asian half marathon champion ship in 2023. Barwal’s recent gold in the 5,000m at the national senior athletics underscores his current form and readiness for the challenge ahead.
Timing of the athletes
“I will try my best to turn the bronze into gold. I am glad the weather conditions are favourable so I hope to use that to my advantage,” he said. Rounding out the elite field is Kalidas Hirve, whose extensive marathon experience adds depth to the competition. With over 100 marathons under his belt and a PB of 2:18:14 in the full marathon, Hirve’s endurance and race strategy will be key factors in the event.
In the women’s section, Kavita Yadav – the defending champion – enters the competition with an impressive track record. Her recent performances, including a second-place finish in 10,000m at the 2023 National Open Athletics Championships, demonstrate her dominance in long-distance events.
Yadav’s personal best of 1:17:42 at the last edition sets the bar high. “There is more pressure on me given that I come to the VDHM as the defending champion. But I am ready for the challenge that lies ahead, and I expect to be close to my group throughout the race. I have been practicing well, but the competition is tougher than usual. But I am sure I can reach the same standards like last year,” she said.
Yadav will be challenged by the Priti Lamba and Nirma Thakore, two of India’s top women road racers. Lamba, known for her prowess in the 3,000m steeplechase, won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. She is also a bronze medallist of VDHM 2022.
Speaking at the press meet, Lamba revealed that she quit the sport for a few years and it was her husband who encouraged her to return and eventually trained her to win bronze at the Asiad. “My sports career ended in 2017 because of an injury. After a break of a couple of years, I decided to get married. Then, my husband pushed me back into the field, and he trained me for a year. Since then, there has been no turning back.”
Thakore, a farmer’s daughter, most recently secured victory at the 19th Tata Mumbai Full Marathon 2024 in the elite Indian women’s category, completing the gruelling 41.195 km course in an impressive 2:47.11s. “I want to give my best to add a medal from the VDHM to my collection. will take my motivation from the international elite athletes,” she said.
In the elite international runners’ category, former 5000m world champion Muktar Edris will be joined by twotime Olympic gold medallist Joshua Cheptegei, which increases expectations for a course record in the men’s race. The women’s field includes the Birmingham CWG champion in 10,000m, Eilish McColgan and Kenya’s Cynthia Limo. The VDHM boasts of a prize purse of $2,60,000.
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