Kenyan, Ethiopian win Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

Kenyan Laban Moiben and Netsanet Abeyo of Ethiopia yesterday respectively won the men’s and women’s contest in the 9th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, rated Asia’s most valuable.

A record 2,475 Indian and global athletes including Sri Lanka’s Rueina Deepani and Indika Ratnayake vied for the popular event, which has received IIAF Gold label status.

However, it was athletes from two African nations who dominated the winnings, with first prize valued at $ 34,000 and $ 16,000 for the second.

Moiben, whose previous best timing in a marathon was 2:09:44 – set in Ottawa in May 2010 – completed the 42-km race in 2:18:48. He was followed by Ethiopian Raji Assefa (2:10:48) and compatriot John Kyui (2:10:54).

Fatuma Sado (2:30:20) and Makda Harun (2:30:47), followed Abeyo (2;26:12) to complete an all-Ethiopian sweep in the women’s category.

The Lankan duo who were sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka completed the race though though failed to grab any prizes.

The marathon, now elevated to an Indian National Event saw India’s veteran long distance runner Ram Singh Yadav booking his berth for the London Olympics.

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events for charity. Last year it raised Indian Rs. 12 million and a higher amount was envisaged for 2012 event.

United Ways of Mumbai is the official charity partner for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, promoted by Procam International. The 2012 event will raise funds for 222 NGOs and has drawn 152 corporates, 223 teams, 4985 charity foundations and 30,000 donors.

Events included a half marathon of 22 kilometres, a dream run of six kilometres and a senior citizen run of four kilometres. The marathon attracted not only star international athletes but Bollywood celebrities, business tycoons, major corporate and public personalities, and the general public.

Half marathon saw 14,000 participants and 20,500 for dream run.

Bollywood stars present included John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Rahil Bose, Shabana Zami, Perizaad Zorabian, Tanvi Azmi, Ronit Roy, Prateik Babbar, Gul Panag, Neha Dhupia, Tara Sharma, Gulshan Grover, singer Shaan and many television actors including Rohit Roy.

Standard Chartered Bank said it was proud to facilitate the participation of Ruwina Deepani and Indika Ratnayake accompanied by Coach Prasanna Perera, who will most certainly acquit themselves with distinction at this year’s event.

This is the fourth such sponsorship by standard Chartered for the 28 year old Ruwina Deepani. A Leading Air Craftsman of the Sri Lanka Air Force, whose participation in marathons in Singapore (2008 – placed 1st in South Asia,) and Hong Kong (2008 – placed 1st in South Asia, and 7th overall; and 2009) was also funded by Standard Chartered.

This talented runner commenced her athletic career at Induruwa Maha Vidyalaya as a middle distance runner, but it took coach Perera’s keen eye for talent to recognise her true potential for long distance. In her very first marathon at the Nationals held in Kuliyapitiya in 2007, Ruwina came in fifth. At last year’s Colombo Marathon she left the field cleanly behind to emerge the victor.

Indika, in contrast, was a short distance speedster at Anamaduwa Central College, and came by marathon running by gradually easing into the longer distances and half marathons at district level meets. At the Singapore marathon, 2008, he was placed 2nd in South Asia and 22nd overall, and at the Asian Marathon held in Bangkok in 2010, he came in 6th in South Asia and 18th overall.

The Lance Bombardier of the Sri Lanka Army’s Artillery Division says he owes much of his success to his coaches Brigadier Liyanage and Major Jayasekara, the Army and the encouragement of his parents. He has consistently been placed within the top three from 2008 at national events, and his best timing for the marathon is two hours 25 minutes.