India’s elite runners Man Singh, Belliappa AB and Karthik
Kumar clinched the podium positions in the Apollo Tyres New Delhi
National Marathon here on Sunday and also qualified for the 2023 Asian
Games in September.
All three went under the qualifying mark of 2 hours and 15 minutes in
an exciting run that went down to the wire much to the delight of
cheering fans all along the picturesque route in the heart of the
Capital.
Man Singh, who recorded his personal best of 2:16:58 just last month,
clocked an impressive 2:14.13 to win the coveted gold medal as well as
the cash prize of Rs 1,50,000.
Belliappa (2:14.15), who was breathing down his neck in the final leg,
finished just two seconds behind to improve upon his own best by over
2 minutes. He pocketed the silver medal in the process.
Karthik Kumar (2:14.19) crossed the line four seconds behind to take the bronze.
Evergreen Jyoti Gawate took home the gold medal among elite women but
could not book her flight ticket to Hangzhou in China. She, however,
managed 2:53:04 while the target for the women was 2:47 minutes.
Ashvini Jadhav (2:53:06) and Jigmet Dolma (2:56:41) took the other two
positions on the podium.
“We at NEB Sports had done everything possible to create the best
ambience and platform for the athletes to qualify for the Asian Games.
We are delighted that three elite men have made it. It’s a proud
moment for us,” NEB’s Nagraj Adiga, the Race Director, said.
“I was stumped by the enthusiasm among the runners. I couldn’t stop
myself from cheering as I saw India’s top marathoners enter the Nehru
Stadium well under the qualifying mark,” world record holder and
double Olympic champion David Rudisha, the Brand Ambassador of NDM,
gushed. “I congratulate the three qualifiers and wish them all the
best for the big one in September,” he added.
“We are delighted with the response from the running community for the
Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon.
It is heartening that three male
athletes have breached the qualifying standards for the Hangzhou Asian
Games,” Satish Sharma, President (Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa)
of Apollo Tyres Ltd said.
Over 16,000 runners took part in the four categories, making it one of
the biggest turnouts in the country. The Elite Marathoners set off on
their mission at 5 in the morning, with David Rudisha flagging them
off along with other dignitaries.
RESULTS
Marathon (Elite):
Men: 1. Man Singh (2:14.13); 2. Belliappa AB (2:14.15); 3. Karthik
Kumar (2:14.19)
Women: 1. Jyoti Gawate (2:53:04); 2. Ashvini Jadhav (2:53:06); 3.
Jigmet Dolma (2:56:41).
Half Marathon:
Men: 1. Kiran Matre (1:05.57); 2. Nano Guta (1:06.03); 3. Tirtha Pun (1:06.21)
Women: 1. Neetu Kumari (1:17.14); 2. Bisle Bikaye (1:18.26); 3. Ujala
Ujala (1:21.31)
10K:
Men: 1. Rishipal Singh (0:32.56); 2. Abdisa Wolde (0:32.57); 3. Sunny
Kumar (0:34.14)
Women: 1. Ekta Rawat (0:38.12); 2. Rozi (0:38.13); 3. Priti Priti (0:39.22).
