Date:21/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/21/stories/2007012102611700.htm

Sport - Athletics

Marathon may see new winners

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

SIGN OF CONFIDENCE: Nathuram, Madhuri Gurnule and K.C. Ramu will lead the Indian challenge at the Mumbai Marathon.

MUMBAI: With former runners Daniel Rono (Kenya), Julius Sugut (Kenya) and Hendrik Ramaala (South Africa) not participating in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2007 starting on Saturday, the men's event is likely to see a new champion this time.

Tanzania's Samson Ramdhani has the fastest personal best (2:08:01) among the runners in 2007 followed by Ethiopia's Ashfaw Melese (2:08:03), Uganda's Patrick Chumba (2:09:45).

Kenya's Stanley Leleito (2:10:17), a known face in the lead pack, will be looking to better his third position achieved here last year.

Tegla Loroupe, the first African woman to win a world marathon event, will be among the favourites in the women's event.

Indian challenge

Madhuri Gurnule and Leelamma Alphonso are expected to lead India's challenge in the women's half marathon and women's full marathon respectively.