Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010855092200.htm

Sport - Athletics

Kelai confirms participation

MUMBAI: Kenya’s John Kelai confirmed participation in the men’s full marathon event of the sixth Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon to be held on January 18. He had won the race in 2007 and 2008 and is aiming for a hat-trick.

The course record (2:12:03)stands in the name of Daniel Rono, the winner in 2006.

Kenyan Japhet Kosgei, credited with a time of 2:09:24 at the Frankfurt Marathon 2008, is expected to be Kelai’s toughest competitor.

The challenge in the women’s full marathon will also be led by a Kenyan, Margaret Okeyo, former winner at the London Marathon and with a personal best of 2:25:00. She has fellow Kenyan Lenah Cheruiyot for company, the latter clocked 2:26 at Paris last year. The field also has 2005, ’06 and ’08 champion Mulu Seboka of Ethiopia.

Other categories are half-marathon for men and women, wheelchair event, dream run and senior citizens run. — Special Correspondent