The run-fest begins

MUMBAI: The course record of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) stands at 2 hours, 11 minutes and 51 seconds, set by Kenyan Kenneth Mungara in 2009. His countrymate Denis Ndiso took the 2010 honours, at 2:12.03. Two-time SCMM champion John Kelai, also from Kenya, set a personal best of 2:12.22 to win the 2008 title. Kelai’s 2007 title-winning feat came in 2:12.27.Now, compare these timings withthe one set by Ramaala Hendrik in the first year of the SCMM. The South Africanclocked 2:15.47 to win the inaugural race in 2004. The point to note here is,the timings have only got better and better as the race matured, helping it getthe coveted IAAF Gold label status last year.For Sunday's race— the eighth edition of the SCMM — the expectations, both of therunners and organisers alike, are even higher. While race director Hugh Jones isquietly confident of the 2011 race breaking the sub-2:10 barrier, eliteathletes' coordinator Ian Ladbrooke is praying for the weather to continue itscool spell."I am definitely optimistic. If the current coolconditions continue on Sunday, I don't see any reason why we can't see asub-2:10 mark. We have a very fast field this year, and many of them haveclocked 2:10 or below in the last one-two years. Last year it was too hot, about22 degrees at the start and nearing 35 degrees when they finished. It's so muchbetter this year. Let's pray, it stays like this for one more day," saidLadbrooke.The 2:10 mark is considered a major yardstick in marathonsthe world around; it signifies the coming of age of a race. The Mumbai race,despite being ranked among the top marathons in the world, is yet to breach thesub-2:10 mark. Hopefully, it should change this time."I am keepingmy fingers crossed. Last year the weather was like this till the race eve buteverything changed in a matter of just 12 hours. So you never know what willhappen on the race morning. But if not 2:10, I would definitely like to see anew course record being set this year," said Jones.One factor thataffected the runners' pace last year, besides the heat, was the Bandra-Worlisealink. The new addition to the 2010 marathon route got too hot for comfort andto add to the runners' woes, there were no water stations on the sealink. Thataspect has been looked into this time, with two water stations set on thesealink itself.As far as the 2011 elite field is concerned, it'stouted as one of the fastest ever. Most of the top runners have clocked wellbelow the sub-2:10 mark in the recent past and there are no injury woeseither.Two-time winner Kelai, who didn't run last year and finishedthird in 2009, is again the overwhelming favourite. "Mumbai is my favourite raceand I get extra energy from within when I run here. I have trained hard andthere are no fitness issues. The weather looks perfect too. I will give it mybest shot," said the 34-year-old Kenyan, who also won the gold at the 2010Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.But it won't be that easy for Kelaithough. Ethiopia's Tola Tesfaye, with a personal best of 2:06.57, should givehim a tough fight, as also Tola's countrymate Assefa Girma, who last yearclocked 2:09.58 in Berlin.Then there's Shami Mubarak Hassan ofQatar. The 30-year-old Kenyan-born took the bronze at last year's Asian Games inGuangzhou and has a personal best of 2:07.19. Some other names who stand arealistic podium chance are Oleg Kulkov of Russia (personal best 2:10.13),Kenya's Rutto Evans (2:05.50) and his countrymate John Mutai(2:11.23).On the women's side, last year's winner and runner-up,Ethiopians Bizunesh Urgesa and Haile Kebebush, are back to defend their records.Among the others who could give them a good run are Kateryna Stetsenko ofUkraine, Svetlana Kouhan of Belarus and Ethiopians Meseret Leggese, AlemuElfenesh, Ayelech Worku and Makda Harun.