Date:22/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/22/stories/2005072214002000.htm

Sport - Athletics

Delhi marathon hits rough weather

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Sports Management Group International (SMGI), a London-based firm, announced on Thursday that Delhi would have an international marathon befitting its stature, come December this year.

The birth of the Delhi International marathon, scheduled here for December 4, with a prize fund of $3,10,000, however, might not be all that smooth. For, the required approval from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is still pending.

The AFI Secretary, Lalit K. Bhanot, when contacted, said that the organiser had approached his federation about 10 days ago, but the date proposed was not acceptable. "The Pune international marathon is scheduled for December 4. That will be the trials to select the Indian team for next year's Commonwealth Games. How can we sanction another marathon on the same date when we expect the best talent in the country to compete in Pune?," he said.

Delhi was also expected to have an international half marathon on October 16 this year. This would be an AFI-partnered event, with a big prize money structure, that was expected to become an annual feature.

"They have to come up with another date and then we will consider," said Mr. Bhanot about solving the Delhi marathon impasse.

The Project Director of Delhi marathon, Manzar Khan, said that the event would be held to raise funds for charity to be routed through the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. He said the event was already publicised during the Delhi Haat Festival in London and his organisation was in touch with runners from abroad. Athletes from around 40 countries were expected to come, he said. A field of around 40,000 was being planned for the main marathon, a half marathon and a `Tiranga run.'

The National Race Director of the Delhi marathon, Rupinder Singh, said that every year the organiser planned to honour a former athlete during the event. This year the late marathoner Shivnath Singh would be honoured and his family would be invited for the event.