Olympian Lalita Babar declared event ambassador of Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon
Mumbai: Arjun Pradhan of ASI, Pune will lead the men’s full marathon field, while the half marathon men and women will be led by Srinu Bugatha and Sanjivani Jadhav respectively in the 6th edition of the national level Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon, which will be flagged off from Virar and Vasai on Sunday, December 11, 2016.
Running in the footsteps of around 40 elite male and female elite athletes will be around 600 Full Marathoners; 4000 plus Half Marathoners and around 1800 11KM Runners. Running in their wake will be around 8000 athletes in the junior age group races, over 1.5 kms, 3 kms, 5 kms, 7 kms and 11 kms.
Pradhan a second placed finisher at the Mumbai Marathon will have to contend with Vishnulal Dangi, winner of the Sabarmati Marathon and Raspal Singh, winner of the Bangalore Marathon are the other fancied names, besides Lyngkhoi Bining.
The men’s half marathon will see stiff competition between Srinu Bugatha, Kalidas Hirave, Baliappa A B and Deepak Bapu Kumar. Srinu is a winner of the Jaipur Marathon and the fourth-place finisher at the Delhi Half Marathon, 2016, while Kalidas, Baliappa and Deepak will be pushing him hard for the day’s honours.
In excess of Rs 35 lakhs is on offer as prize fund, making the Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon the richest National level prize money event for Indian athletes and amateurs.
Meanwhile, Olympian athlete Lalita Babbar was announced as Event Ambassador to the event. Lalita Babbar became the only female athlete after P T Usha to qualify for the final of an Olympics, when she qualified for the 3000m Steeplechase final in Rio this year.
A unique first of its kind initiative called “The Battle Run”, an exclusive event for the running clubs in the country has been introduced this year. Running clubs have played a major role in developing a running culture in the country and the Battle Run acknowledges their contribution.
