First-timers make an impression

In the build up to the Delhi Half Marathon,there was much hype around elite athletes who were expected to hog the limelight on Sunday. But when two time defending champion Deriba Merga,and last years Indian category winner Deepchand Sharan and Sukanya Mal pulled out,it almost set the tone for new stars to rise.

One such being Ethiopias Yacob Yarso. Although Yarso was part of the Beijing Olympics steeplechase 3000m,Sunday was his first ever half marathon and one that has given a new dimension to his career. Amidst tough competition,Yarso emerged the bronze medalist,taking home 10,000,and promising to come back next year to better his performance.

For the Indians too,a first time half-marathoner Lalita Babar,won gold and 4,000. I didnt have to live up to any expectations and that let me give my best, Babar said. Even among the men,Rathi Ram Saini was a surpirse podium finisher. A night before the event,Saini did not even have an elite athlete card,but he took out several national medal winners enroute to the third spot.