THE COUNTDOWN for the 10th edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon has begun with 35,000 running enthusiasts including the crème de la creme in long-distance running gear-up to vie for the top honours at the world’s most prestigious Half Marathon to be held on November 19, 2017.
This year's race day will witness a supreme battle between the best of Indian and International elite athletes. Getting off the blocks is the Men’s World Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kirui (2:08:27) and Airtel Delhi Half Marathon Defending Women’s Champion Worknesh Degefa (67:42) along with the Women’s 10,000m World Champion Almaz Ayana, who won Gold at the same event in Rio Olympics 2016. Yigrem Delemash, the runner up of last edition of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, will challenge Geoffrey Kirui for the title in the Men’s category.
The Indian challenge, on the other hand, will be led by ADHM Indian Men’s Defending Champion G Lakshmanan returning to the event who will be challenged by 2015 edition winner Nitender Singh Rawat. The fiercely determined 27-year-old Lakshmanan is in top form and he even gave India a reason to celebrate when he won the double Gold Medal at the recently concluded Asian Athletic Championship in 10000 & 5000 meters. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Nitender Singh Rawat’s story is nothing short of a real-life hero. He served as infantry Havaldar of the 6th Kumaon Regiment in Kashmir before running 42kms under 2.19 mark to see himself qualify for the Rio Olympics. Olympian and Asian Athletics Championship 3000M Steeplechase Gold medalist Sudha Singh will be headlining the elite Indian women’s line up. A star-studded lineup such as this assures pulsating competition on race day.
In an overwhelming response, the event heralded a new high with registrations closing in a record 20 days for half marathon with 13,000 runners signing up for the event. The USD 2,75,000 event will witness 35,000 participants running in four race categories- Half Marathon (Elite & amateur), Great Delhi Run, 10K Run, Senior Citizens and Champions with Disability.
Ravi Negi, CEO – Delhi NCR, Bharti Airtel said
“As always, it is great to see the fantastic response to the call for registrations for Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. Over the past decade, the marathon has successfully evolved into a truly vibrant platform that celebrates the spirit of running and helps bring the city together. We wish the organisers, Procam and the participants the very best for this year’s run.”
PUMA LEGEND LINFORD CHRISTIE: The only British athlete to have won Gold medals in the 100 metres at all four major competitions Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championships & European Championshipsand was the first European to have run sub ten seconds will be present at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and motivate all runners participating in the race. Commenting on the countdown towards Race Day, he said, “. I am very excited to be in India and I will see you all at the race on 19th.”
Adding to this, Vivek Singh, Jt, Managing Director, Procam International shared,
“We are delighted to have entered the 10th edition of this marquee running event. It’s heartening to know that the enthusiasm of the runners is intact and the participating numbers this year proves that. The presence of sporting legends like Linford Christie and Anthony Ervin makes this edition more special and will provide an extra zip to the participants. We appreciate the support of our sponsors and all stakeholders in helping to make this event possible and look forward to a successful race day on 19th November.”
Ahead of the 10th edition of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, the Indian Super League Football club of the capital city, Delhi Dynamos joins hands with the event to promote fitness in the city. Speaking at the event, Ashish Shah, CEO, Delhi Dynamos F.C. said,
"Delhi has developed an incredible spirit and culture of running thanks to the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. We (Delhi Dynamos) are happy to join them in celebrating this sportsman spirit of our city. As a football club, fitness & health are the two most important aspects for us. From grassroots to the first team, fitness is the basis of becoming a top athlete and that is the message that we want to give out to all the runners as well. Our coach and our players look forward to interacting with the participants and inspire them with techniques that are being used at the pinnacle of the sport.”
CHAMPIONS with DISABILITY (CWD) & PLANET ABLED: Keeping in sync with the inherently inclusive nature of the event, the Champions with Disability category is supported by Planet Abled, an NGO that provides accessible travel solutions and leisure excursions for people with different disabilities. With their necessary expertise and manpower, Planet Abled will give this category of participants an enhanced and an unforgettable experience from registrations to race day.
100% WASTE MANAGED RACE: As a responsible race organizer of an event that promotes health and fitness for all, Procam has always been concerned as much about the well-being of our participants as about the environment. We have taken a conscious decision to make all our running events eco-friendly, with a focus on managing waste through the methods of re-using and recycling. Waste generated during the event is segregated and managed till the last mile to ensure proper disposal via reputed organizations. The event furthers the green cause through various means like encouraging participants to receive event handbooks in digital format, delivering number bibs without any plastic packaging, handing out runner bags made of cloth rather than polyester / plastic and serving its runners in decomposable environment-friendly areca nut plates, wooden/steel spoons.