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Friday, Oct 13, 2006
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Rugut confident as Kenyans arrive

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: "I have prepared well and will compete to win," said the defending champion Philip Rugut of Kenya here on Thursday as the foreign participants started arriving here for Sunday's Hutch Delhi half-marathon.

The in-form Francis Kibiwott, the 28-year-old Kenyan, is another strong contender for the title this time. He has the year's fastest time of 45:27 over 10 miles, set in September.

"Setting fast times is my goal. I am injury free and in my best physical shape for this event and am confident of doing well," said Kibiwott as the Kenyan team met the media.

Among the women, Kenyans Helen Cherono and Lineth Chepkurui are here. Helen, a silver medallist at this year's Melbourne Commonwealth Games, expressed her happiness to be in Delhi for the marathon. "I hope the weather holds out till Sunday," she said. Cherono has a half-marathon personal best of 70.40 set in Rieti, Italy.

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has lent his support to the event as a brand ambassador and advocated running as the basics for all sports and fitness activities.

"Being a fast bowler who bowled 30 overs every innings, I have been a runner and I will be supporting all the marathon participants," he said.

Responding to a question about former captain Sourav Ganguly's exclusion from the Indian squad, Kapil remarked that Ganguly should run in the marathon. "In fact, the entire cricket team should participate in the event," he added.

Meanwhile, veteran Dr. Ashis Roy, 74, is back in action again and is getting ready for Sunday's event.

"It keeps me healthy and my ageing process has slowed down," he said.

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