Delhi set for National marathon

NEW DELHI: The city will come alive early on Sunday morning as the 11th edition of the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon gets underway, drawing elite athletes and thousands of recreational runners to the Capital’s streets.Starting from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the event carries added significance this year as it serves as a qualifying race for the Asian Games, giving Indian marathoners a valuable shot at meeting the required standards.

The men’s field features Anish Thapa, AB Belliappa, Man Singh and Akshay Saini, all expected to push the pace over the gruelling 42.195 km distance. In the women’s section, Bhagirathi Bisht, Nirmaben Thakor Bharatjee, Ashwini Madan Jadhav, Disket Dolma and Stanzin Dolkar headline a competitive lineup.

Much could depend on how the frontrunners manage their energy through the middle stages before the decisive final stretch.With cool February conditions forecast for the morning, the stage appears set for quick times and possibly a few personal best performances.Organisers also expect over 30,000 participants across the full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K races.