“Remember the joy of Running”
New Delhi November 09, 2008 : Out of all the Four Half Marathons held in Delhi so far, Jaunsar Bawar has had participants in the last three editions on a regular basis. For the first time, Ramesh Chand Joshi and his two daughters Radhika and Ananya ( Vill.- Mairawna, Khat - Bangaon) participated in the 2nd Delhi Half Marathon held on October 15, 2006. They ran over 7 Kilometre stretch of The Great Delhi Run, the most popular segment of the Half Marathon.
Next year Sandeep Nautiyal of Village Dhiroi, Khat- Fartad, infact ran the full distance of the main event comprising 21 Kms in the 3rd Delhi Half Marathon held on October 25, 2007. He repeated his feat this year today i.e. November 09, 2008. Ramesh Joshi too joined the main race with his younger daughter Ananya Joshi midway and crossed the finish line at Central Service Board ground.
This Year Deriba Merga of Ethiopia won the men's race setting a new course record of 59.14 minutes. His compatriot Aselefech Mergia became the women's champion of the fourth Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. Deriba’s 59:14 minutes broke the timings of 60.43 minutes recorded by Rwanda's Dieudonne Disi last year. The winners took home a prize money of USD 25,000 each. Kipsang and Wilson Chebet of Kenya stood second and third respectively in the men's category. In the women's category, Ethiopia’s Genet Getenet finished second, while Kenya’s Peninah Arusei finished third.
Amongst the Indian athletes on show, Sandeep Kumar was winner in the men's category, clocking 64:48 minutes while Kashinath and Deep Chand timed 64:52 and 64:56 to come second and the third respectively. Last year’s champion Kavitha Raut successfully defended her title clocking 77:12 minutes whereas Preethi L Rao and Sudha Singh stood second and third, clocking 77: 20 and 77:39 minutes in the women's section. Indian Winners received cash prize of USD 4,000 while those coming second bagged USD 3,000 and the third USD 2,000.
Over 30,000 persons participated in various categories of this year’s Airtel Delhi Half Marathon named after its title sponsor Airtel. The event was organized by Procam International. Over the years, enthusiasm has been growing around the Marathon which began three years ago.
The main feature event was the half marathon of 21.097 kms. There were veteran and senior veteran categories for men and women. A part of the event was a distance of 7 km called The Great Delhi Run open to persons 12 years and above, from all walks of life and different age groups. A vast number came out together to celebrate the spirit of life under Marathon's apt slogan “Remember the joy of Running”.
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