Anil Ambani participates in the Mumbai Marathon 2015
Mumbaikars today came out in huge numbers to run for a cause. Over 40,000 residents of the city, including top industrialists and actors, participated in the 12th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.
The elite men's category of the 42.195 kilomtre-long full marathon was won by Tesfaye Abera from Ethiopia, who finished with a timing of two hours and nine minutes. Fellow Ethiopian Dereje Debele came second and Luke Kibet from Kenya stood third. The top Indian spot was grabbed by Karan Singh who stood 11th.
The elite women's category was won by Dinknesh Mekash from Ethiopia and Jaisha OP was the top Indian at ninth position.
Actor Dia Mirza, who flagged off the run for champions with disability, told NDTV, "The spirit of the marathon and the fact that so many wonderful people come out here every year to stand for something is something you get to witness it only the mornings of the marathon."
The highlight of today's event was that Software giant Tata Consultancy Services or TCS announced that it would sponsor the top two Indian finishers in both men's and women's full marathons at the TCS New York City Marathon in November.
Apart from the 42.195 kilometre full marathon and 21.097 kilometre half marathon, the annual event included a corporate champions race, a police cup (for Mumbai Police), a dream run, a senior citizen's run and a run for champions with disability. The senior-most participant in the senior citizen's run was 97-year-old Chunnilal Panchal.
During the marathon, 4000 participants were given medical assistance, 14 were admitted to hospital and discharged soon after. One participant suffered a serious head injury and has been put on a ventilator at Bombay Hospital in south Mumbai.
The Mumbai Marathon, in its 11th edition last year had reinforced its position as not just one of India's biggest sporting events but also as one of the biggest fund raising platforms in India and the Asian sub-continent. It is the richest race in India with a prize pool of $350,000.