The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Kenyans to defend Delhi titles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007
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Sport - Athletics

Kenyans to defend Delhi titles

Principal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Defending champions Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkirui have confirmed entries for the Vodafone Delhi half marathon on Sunday.

The Kenyans have been in good form this season and will start as favourites, though the entry of another Kenyan, Wilson Kiprotich, will enhance the men’s competition.

The others confirmed for the event are Rwanda’s Diudone Disi, Kenya’s Philip Rugut, Tanzanians John Yuda and Dickson Marwa Mkami and Zimbabwe’s Wirimayi Juwawo in the men’s section.

In the women’s event, Kenyans Alice Timbillil and Hellen Jemaiyo Kimutai, Deriba Alemu of Ethiopia, Russia’s Irina Timofeyeva, the winner of the 2005 event, Natalia Berkut of Ukraine and Tabitha Tsatsa of Zimbabwe have confirmed.

The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by Ram Singh Yadav, Deep Chand Saharan, Bhairav Singh Lone and R. B. Subba in the men’s event.

Pampa Chanda, Reena Das, Vaishali Chatare, Preethi L. Rao and Kavita Raut figure in the women’s event.

The route of the $160,000 event, the richest prize money half-marathon in the world, has been altered as original the start and finish venue, Nehru Stadium, is unavailable due to renovation work being carried out.

The half-marathon will now start from Central Secretariat ground on Vinay Marg and move towards Africa Avenue, Hoshiyar Singh Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Prithviraj Road, Man Singh Road, Akbar Road, India Gate hexagon, Rajpath, Janpath and back.

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