New Delhi, Sep 30 (ANI): Edwin Kipyego from Kenya and Yimer Wude from Ethiopia won the men and women's race respectively in the fifth edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday.
While Edwin took 1 hour and 55 seconds to finish his 21kms race, Yimer completed hers in 1 hour 12 minutes Among the Indians, Rahul Kumar Pal finished on top in the men's category while Olympian Sudha Singh took the honours among the women.
The event saw almost 32,000 people, including athletes and celebrities, who gathered early in the morning for the love of fitness.
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu, who is known to be a fitness freak, was present to cheer the swarming crowd.
Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, who is a regular at such events, said he felt good to be a part of the event every year, terming it as a platform for community bonding.
"I feel the same. There are not many events in Delhi, where the entire city can come together. It is great feeling that the popularity of this event is growing every year. This is becoming the community event in Delhi. It makes me very happy to see this event here," he said.
Meanwhile, actress and former Miss India , Gul Panag, said that fitness has become important for India, as obesity and diabetes cases are on rise.
She said that lifestyle diseases have become common phenomena, due to the erratic eating habits and other factors.
"I think in a country where fitness is an important agenda for everybody, for a country that is fast becoming affluent, fitness needs to be a lifestyle choice people need to begin to make, because we are no longer in an age, where we are walking to work or school. Our lifestyles have changed, our food habits have undergone a sea change and clearly obesity and diabetes are on the rise. We have the highest number of diabetes cases in the world. So, I think for a country like us, fitness and anything that promotes fitness is important," she said.
Senior citizens and specially abled people were also thrilled to be a part of the event and exhibited sportsmanship spirit.
The Delhi half marathon, recognised by the IAAF as a 'gold label Event' is one of the richest marathons in the world.
The male and female winners will get USD 25,000 each, while the Indian winners will be richer by Rs. 2,50,000 each. (ANI)
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