Stage set for Half Marathon

Cricketers, film stars, athletes and politicians 8212; all on one platform make a heady cocktail. But the star-studded field at the fourth edition of the Delhi Half Marathon is not merely about the pomp and show.

Cricketers, film stars, athletes and politicians 8212; all on one platform make a heady cocktail. But the star-studded field at the fourth edition of the Delhi Half Marathon is not merely about the pomp and show. It is about making Delhi8217;s citizens aware of the importance of coming together, celebrating unity and running for more than one cause.

The star parade includes the likes of legendary cricketers Sir Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev, heptathlete par excellence Jackie-Joyner Kersee, star couple Ajay Devgan and Kajol, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and music director A R Rahman. Beijing Olympic bronze medallists Vijender Singh and Sushil Kumar will of course be there to lend more weight.

They may be from different fields but if there is one feeling that unites all of them 8212; physical fitness helps develop mental toughness. 8220;To be mentally tough, one has to be physically fit. And together with discipline, everything falls into place,8221; Sir Richard Hadlee says.

More than that, Sir Hadlee believes it is important to overcome a global problem like obesity. 8220;These marathons actually help people in general, particularly youngsters, who are addicted to television and video games,8221; he says.

But why he is here? 8220;After being associated with cricket for 36 years, including 18 years of active playing career, I have given up the game. But at 57, I know how I can keep myself fit. Though I may not be running tomorrow, I want to associate myself with something different. By my association if I can bring more runners to the Delhi Great Run, I would have done my job,8221; the legendary cricketer, the first to cross the 400-wicket mark, says.

For Jackie-Joyner it8217;s all about giving back. 8220;I do a lot of community service back home, and being part of the Delhi Half Marathon gives me another opportunity to help a cause 8212; like the charity events that organisers Procam International hold diligently year after year.8221;

And the actors, Vivek Singh of Procam says, add star value, being brand ambassadors of the event. 8216;It helps us raise funds for charity, apart from drawing people to the event,8221; he says.

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He says such events inculcate the habit of running among senior citizens, women and children. 8220;Our idea is to motivate them to come and participate and develop the habit,8221; his brother Anil Singh says.

As for the main event, the organisers have for the first time introduced two Kenyan runners called the 8216;Rabbits8217;. They will be pacemakers for the lead group that will see the Ethiopian, Kenyan, Russian and Indian athletes participate. Ian Ladbroke, the elite athletes8217; agent, says: 8220;The Rabbits will help the runners clock a sub-60 minute timing for the 21.097 km distance.8221; But the million dollar question is: Are the Indian runners prepared for it?