Mumbai Marathon for a noble cause

Nov 16: Registration for all the five categories closes on December 8 for the January 20 event

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is not only a great platform for the long distance athletes but it is the major source of charity with a noble cause, as it would be benefiting numerous people across the country.

The Asia’s richest event will enter into its fifth edition, with an enhanced prize of US$240,000, up US$10,000 over last year, when it kicks-off on January 20 in the commercial capital of the country.

Around 30,000 participants would be accommodated in this mega-event. The Dream Run will accommodate 14,000 participants and 3000 places are reserved for the Corporate Challenge. 2500 entries will be allowed in the Senior Citizens Run, while 300 entries will be permitted for the Wheelchair Event.

According to Standard Chartered Bank CEO, Neeraj Swaroop, "The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is the largest platform for raising funds for charity. Approximately 8 crore was raised in the previous edition benefiting over 144 NGOs.

"A maximum of 3000 running places are on offer for the January 20, 2008 Full Marathon, while 8000 places will be available for the Half Marathon,” he added.

The five race categories for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2008 will be as Full Marathon (42.195km), Half Marathon (21.097km), Sr. Citizens Run (4.3km), Wheelchair Event (2.5km) and Dream Run (6km).

There will be a relay race involving teams of 6 runners of Corporate Sporting Challenge, covering an approximate distance of 7 km to finish the full marathon. This particular event met with a great response last year and will be one of the major attractions for keen corporate participants.

The Corporate Sporting Challenge, along with the Corporate Challenge, the Dream Team and the Pledgers United are the means that push charity, one of the most important and positive initiatives of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

The funds, which will be raised towards charity in 2008, should be no exception. GiveIndia, the official Charity Partner will shoulder the entire responsibility to make it a bigger success than last year.

This time the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2008 has roped in two of the biggest names in the health and fitness industry and sporting equipments. Talwalkars will be the Official Trainer for the event and Asics would be the Sports Goods Partner.

Talwalkars will train out Mumbaikars with 100 of their own trainers and 60 external trainers to make them more accomplished distance runners. Asics, the worlds leading running shoe company, brings with it invaluable experience of having been associated with some of the biggest athletics events around the world.

“We are also proud to have launched an environmental initiative called ‘Race for a living planet’ as part of our four marathons relay, the Greatest Race on Earth. The initiative encourages people to select and undertake up to eight pledges to save the planet. There is an additional USD1 million to be won by countries with the most number of pledges per capita. Pledging can be done on www.thegreatestrace.com,” said Swaroop.

The Greatest Race On Earth (GROE) offers a combined prize pool of just over USD one million, the largest prize pool in athletics. There are over 53 National GROE teams and 34 nations taking part, in the four events. GROE covers marathons in Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong, representing some of the most challenging environments in the world.

Promoters Procam International divided the event in various race categories and registrations for the same will begin on November 15 and will close on December 8 or whenever running places are full, whichever is earlier.

Online registration can be done through the event website www.scmm.indiatimes.com or the duly filled entry form along with the requisite entry fee can be mailed to P.O. Box No. 11017, Marine Lines Post Office, Mumbai 20. Mumbai residents can also deposit their entry form along with the requisite entry fees at their nearest Standard Chartered Bank branch.

Entry forms will be available at Standard Chartered Bank Branches, Talwakar Gymnasiums and DHF outlets. More information can be sourced from the event helpline no: 99303 11222 between 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.