The Hindu : Sport : Ethiopians are set to conquer

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 15, 2005

Sport

Sport

Ethiopians are set to conquer

Avinash Nair

With conditions permitting the first runner should be touching the tape in around 2 hours 15/16 minutes

GETTING READY: Nathan Clayton, Director of the Lipton Bangalore International Marathon (right), showing the route map to the Ethiopian marathon runners. - PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR

BANGALORE: The Ethiopians are here and set to conquer. It would be difficult to figure out anybody else hogging the limelight on the eve of the inaugural Lipton Bangalore International Marathon.

The six — three men and three women — made a brief visit to the Sree Kanteerava stadium, the starting and finish point of this Crossover organised venture which has evoked tremendous enthusiasm from the Silicon Valley.

The 42.195 km route, with three fly-overs add variety to an otherwise flat course, has been barricaded to ensure there is no hindrance in any form for the runners.

The City Police plan to cordon off the traffic, especially in the busy outer ring road from the Hebbal fly-over.

Nathan Clayton, the director of the race who has been here for the past two days, is impressed with the scenic route and promised, of course weather permitting, a good timing.

Optimistic

Rupinder Singh, the Athletic Association of India nominee, too sounded very optimistic of the athletes clocking a good time. "With conditions permitting the first runner should be touching the tape in around 2 hours 15/16 minutes," said Rupinder.

As on Saturday afternoon, the organisers have counted about 8,000 entries with nearly 450 runners for the half marathon, about 150 for the full and main event and over 7500 for the much-touted celebrity run (7 km).

"The numbers could touch the 10,000 mark as we are expecting most of the corporates to send in their entries by tonight. We are open till 5 a.m. (an hour before the first event — full marathon — is flagged off) and there is no ruling out spot entries," said M. Darshan, Head, Sales and Marketing Crossover, the event management group.

Orgawa best bet

If Tesfaye Bayu Orgawa, the 25-year old Ethiopian, who finished eighth in the recent Lahore marathon is the best bet, Abebe Seyoum who did 2:23.00 in his debut event at Addis marathon last year is the dark-horse of the pack.

Among Indians Ramesh Pujar and K.C. Ramu, have impressed of late and should figure high among the finishers.

Marashet Jimma and Adanech Beyene, who finished in the top 10 at the Standard Chartered Mumbai marathon this February should have it easy amongst women while the third Ethiopian Korre Alemu, the oldest amongst the lot at 32, should follow close at the heels of the leading bunch.

Indresh Dhiraj (Ghaziabad), L.Leelamma and Bhagawathi (CISF) who finished second in the Thai event last year, should pose some problems.

Elaborate arrangements have been made on the entire stretch, with water points and security, have been adhered to and it's over to the marathoners as they eye the `big' pay cheque'.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport