New Delhi [India], October 9 (ANI): Defending champion Alemaddis Eyayu, Birhanu Legese, and Benard Biwott will face a number of World cross-country medalists Lilian Rengeruk within the twentieth version of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, on the Indian capital on Sunday.
Ethiopian runner Birhanu Legese views working as a problem that requires onerous work and self-discipline. He welcomes the Delhi climate, discovering it conducive to his coaching and preparation.
While talking to ANI, Legese mentioned, ‘Running is a problem; it calls for onerous work and coaching self-discipline, which is vital. Delhi temperature can also be good; when it is sizzling, it is difficult, however it’s good right here.’
Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legase Gurmesa is a well-recognized face for Indian working followers. He gained two earlier editions right here, manner again in 2015 and 2017, and is returning to India to compete for the tenth time.
One of the strongest marathon runners within the World, Birhanu, gained two back-to-back titles within the Tokyo Marathon throughout 2019-2020 and has a private finest of two:02:48 from Berlin, a favorite vacation spot for the quickest marathoners.
Birhanu the highest wager for the lads’s crown, shared his love of working in India, the 31-year-old Ethiopian voiced, ‘India has at all times been particular for me. Every time I race right here, I really feel completely happy – the individuals, the vitality, the way in which we’re sorted. The heat and respect we get right here make it simple to run freely, and that is why I at all times carry out nicely in India,’ he added.
Leading the cost from Kenya will likely be Benard Biwott, recent from his Paris Marathon victory earlier this 12 months. He will likely be joined by his countryman Isaac Kipkemboi, who’s poised to mount a robust problem for a podium end.
‘I can say it’s my second time in India. I’m completely happy to be right here. For the Sunday marathon, if the climate is nice, I’ll run nicely. And I attempt to run my private finest,’ Benard Biwott advised ANI.
‘My plan is easy, I’ll stick with the pack for the primary half after which push onerous within the second. That’s when the actual race begins. The problem is to carry your kind when the legs begin to tire, and that is what I really like most, testing myself when it hurts,’ mentioned Biwott.
Lilian, who had a profitable outing in India final 12 months with a memorable victory within the Bengaluru World 10K, is eyeing the ladies’s course document in Delhi.
Having clocked 1:03:32 in Valencia final 12 months and being in a robust kind after profitable the Prague half-marathon earlier this 12 months, the Kenyan is able to assault the course document of 1:04:46, which has stood within the identify of Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw since 2020. A Kenyan lady gained the Delhi crown in 2015, with Cynthia Limo being the final winner.
Talking to the media at present, the 28-year-old Lilian mentioned, ‘Injuries remind you the way a lot you’re keen on sport. I needed to cease coaching for every week, and it made me realise how a lot I missed working. Now I give attention to staying robust and constant – I wish to be at my finest with out crossing that line once more’. Lilian lately joined Claudio Berardelli, the Italian coach, who’s imparting coaching to Kenyan athletes with the 2028 Olympic Games in thoughts.
‘Every season teaches you one thing new. This 12 months, I’ve discovered to be affected person with my physique and belief the method. I come to Delhi stronger, not simply bodily however mentally too – able to run with coronary heart,’ mentioned Ethiopian Alemaddis Eyayu, who’s returning to defend her crown.
Started her 2025 marketing campaign with a victory in Hong Kong. Grace Loibach Nawowuna shared her pleasure about working right here.
‘It feels wonderful to be in Delhi for the primary time for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I’ve labored onerous all season, and I’m excited to see what this race brings. Every run teaches me one thing new, and if I can stroll away with a private finest, it will likely be an enormous step ahead in my journey,’ revealed the younger Kenyan, who missed the World Cross-country podium by only a whisker two years in the past.
With a complete prize purse of USD 260,000, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon will witness a number of the world’s most interesting athletes competing for prime honours. Offering equal rewards for women and men, the champions in each classes will obtain USD 27,000, whereas the second- and third-place finishers will earn USD 20,000 and USD 13,000, respectively. Additionally, a bonus of USD 12,000 awaits any athlete who units a brand new benchmark.
The Delhi Half Marathon was began in 2005, following the profitable conduct of the World Half Marathon within the Indian capital the earlier 12 months.
‘It seems as if yesterday, however we already turned 20’, Vivek Singh, the Joint Managing Director of Procam International, referring to the twentieth version of the world’s most prestigious half-marathon within the nation.
‘We want to thank all our sponsors, previous and current, and the supporters who made this attainable, in addition to the athletes who had been participating right here for elevating their achievement graph continuously upwards, as at all times’, he additional added, revealing his pleasure to stay up for Sunday’s race. (ANI)