Date:14/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/14/stories/2009011457902200.htm

Sport - Athletics

Strong field for Mumbai Marathon

Mumbai: If the marathons of London, Berlin, Chicago and Rotterdam are famous that’s because of potential of these cities to deliver world record timings, whereas in Mumbai the charm is “on the street experience”, said Hugh Jones, Race Director of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2009.

“Berlin is by far an easy race, it has a 35-metre climb, London has a 140-metre climb and Mumbai has a significant climb at Kemps Corner.

“Well, the SCMM has achieved one thing for the elite athletes, it has established itself, this is the sixth year of the marathon,” said Jones at a media conference here on Tuesday.

The SCMM 2009 scheduled on January 18 has drawn a strong field, with Kenyans once again likely to outwit runners from Russia and Morocco.

“If the temperature is three or four degrees less than what it was in the last three years, one cannot write off a timing around 2 hrs 10 minutes to be achieved. For this the lead pack has to stay together almost right though the race,” said Ian Ladbrooke, Elite International Athletes Coordinator.

Ladbrooke identified Kenyans John Kelai, Boniface Usisivu, Kosgei Japhet Kipkorir and Morocco’s Abderrahime Bouramdane as possible runners to finish under 2.10. — Special Correspondent