Top Indian Runners Gear Up for Delhi Half Marathon 2024
The Delhi Half Marathon 2024 is set to feature some of India’s best long-distance runners. Kavita Yadav, the defending champion of the Indian Elite Women’s Race, is ready to compete again. She recently finished second in the 10,000m at the 2023 National Open Athletics Championships and aims to match her personal best of 1:17:42 from last year’s marathon. “There is more pressure on me as the defending champion, but I am ready for the challenge,” said Kavita.
She will face strong competition from Priti Lamba and Nirma Thakore. Priti, a bronze medalist in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2023 Asian Games, credits her husband for her return to sports after an injury in 2017. “My husband pushed me back into the field, and I have been practicing hard for this marathon,” she said. Nirma Thakore, who recently won the Tata Mumbai Full Marathon, is inspired by international athletes and aims to add a medal from the Delhi Half Marathon to her collection.
In the men’s category, Kiran Matre, who recently won the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, is eager to compete despite a recent injury. “I hope to make my coach and supporters proud,” he said. Sawan Barwal, a bronze medalist from last year’s event, aims to turn his bronze into gold this year. He believes the introduction of pace-setters in India will improve the standard of running. Kalidas Hirve, with over 100 marathons to his name, adds depth to the competition.
The marathon will start from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 20, offering a prize purse of USD 260,000.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi Half Marathon -: The Delhi Half Marathon is a running race held in New Delhi, India. It covers a distance of 21.1 kilometers, which is half the distance of a full marathon.
Kavita Yadav -: Kavita Yadav is a well-known Indian runner who won the previous Delhi Half Marathon. She is trying to run as fast as she did before, which is called matching her personal best.
Priti Lamba -: Priti Lamba is an Indian athlete who won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games. She is one of the top runners competing in the Delhi Half Marathon.
Asian Games -: The Asian Games is a big sports event where athletes from all over Asia compete in various sports. It is similar to the Olympics but only for Asian countries.
Nirma Thakore -: Nirma Thakore is an Indian runner who recently won the Tata Mumbai Full Marathon. She is also competing in the Delhi Half Marathon.
Tata Mumbai Full Marathon -: The Tata Mumbai Full Marathon is a long-distance running event held in Mumbai, India. It covers a full marathon distance of 42.2 kilometers.
Kiran Matre -: Kiran Matre is a male Indian runner who is one of the top contenders in the men’s category of the Delhi Half Marathon.
Sawan Barwal -: Sawan Barwal is another male Indian runner competing in the Delhi Half Marathon. He is considered a strong competitor.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is a large sports stadium in New Delhi, India. It is the starting point for the Delhi Half Marathon.
USD 260,000 -: USD 260,000 is the total amount of prize money for the Delhi Half Marathon. It is a large sum of money given to the winners and top finishers of the race.