Star studded field for Airtel Delhi Half Marathon

The stage is set for the fourth edition of the world’s richest and most prestigious half marathon, now in the exciting garb of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, and the lead players, along with the support cast and crew, are primed for action.

More than 40 of the world’s biggest names in long distance running, led by the defending champions among men and women, Dieudonne Disi and Deriba Alemu, will dominate this stage on November 9, vying for a piece of the USD 210, 000 prize pie. Unfolding with clockwork like precision will be the different events of the day, expected to see a total participation of around 25,000 people. Live pictures of the action will be telecast to major parts of the world and Delhi, the host city, will be showcased like never before.

Endorsing this unique event, which has now reached monumental proportions, will be two of the sporting world’s greatest living legends, Sir Richard Hadlee and Jackie Joyner Kersee, who will be joined by celebrities from various walks of life, all united in the great joys of running.

Sir Richard Hadlee and Jackie Joyner Kersee need no introduction, having straddled the pinnacle of their respective sport during their competitive years. They continue to be global ambassadors for sport, also making a huge impact to society with their philanthropic initiatives.

Sir Richard Hadlee is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders of all time. In an 86-Test career he took 431 wickets (at the time the world record) and was the first bowler to pas 400 wickets and made 3124 Test runs, including two centuries and 15 50s. Sir Richard Hadlee is rated by many experts as the greatest exponent of bowling with the new ball.

Jackie Joyner Kersee is ranked among the all-time greatest athletes in the women’s heptathlon as well as the women’s long jump. She has won three gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals in these two different events. She has also won four gold medals in the World Championships, two each in the heptathlon and the long jump. Sports Illustrated for Women magazine voted Jackie Joyner Kersee the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th century.

Registration status: The last date for registrations has passed and the city of Delhi has responded in champion fashion. Even as 17,000 entries have been logged into the system, promoters Procam International have been swamped by a deluge of last minute entries. Round the clock efforts are on to clear this influx and get a clear picture of the exact number of entries in each category.

The response to the charity drive has also been very encouraging, with prominent personalities from all walks of life signing up for the Dream Team, while major corporate entities are lining up for the Corporate Challenge and the Corporate Sporting Challenge. In the past three editions, the event has generated in excess of Rs 4 crore towards charity and concerted efforts are on from Concern India Foundation, the Official Charity Partner, to ensure that the figure is eclipsed this time around.

World class field: Some of the world’s leading long distance talent will be on display at the starting line on November 9 and Ian Ladbrooke, the coordinator for elite athletes is confident that the men’s winner will go below the one hour mark, with the women’s winner clocking a sub-68 timing.

The best timing among men in the elite athlete field is credited to Ethiopia’s Deriba Merga, whose personal best is 59.16 minutes, clocked while finishing fourth at the IAAF World Road Race Championships in Udine, Italy in 2007. The other names with sub-hour personal bests are defending champion Dieudonne Disi of Rwanda (59.32), Tilahune Regassa of Ethiopia (59.36), winner of the half marathon in Lile, France in September 2008 and Dickson Marwah of Tanzania (59.52), set while finishing third in the Ras al Khaima half marathon in February 2008

Among the women, defending champion Deriba Alemu of Ethiopia will have to contend with countrywoman Askale Tafa, silver medalist in the Berlin Marathon in September 2008. The other big names among the women include Pauline Wangui, silver medalist in the Berlin Half Marathon in April 2008, Mulu Seboka, three time winner of the Mumbai Marathon and Salina Kosegei, winner of the Ras al Khaima half marathon and Lisbon half marathon in March and April 2008 respectively.