World No. 3 Cheruiyot, Irina confirm participation

It's only in its second year, but the Delhi Hutch Half-Marathon seems to have already gained in stature 8212; both in terms of star value and the rising numbers in participation.

It8217;s only in its second year, but the Delhi Hutch Half-Marathon seems to have already gained in stature 8212; both in terms of star value and the rising numbers in participation.

Thanks to the confirmation of world No. 3 Evans Cheruiyot of Kenya 8212; he finished behind the legendary Haile Gebrselassie at last month8217;s Berlin half-marathon 8212; for the October 15 event, this year8217;s edition has acquired added star value. Cheruiyot also finished runner-up at the Ostia half-marathon in Italy.

But he is not the only one who will add glamour to the proceedings next Sunday. The Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold medallist Samson Ramadani will be right here to give a run for the Kenyan8217;s money along with defending champion Philip Rugut. The Kenyan, as he showed last year, will be a force to reckon with, having won the title and knowing the course well.

The women8217;s field will see Irina Tomofeyeva defending her title. The Russian, who is also the winner of the Paris marathon this year, will give a tough fight to a host of others from the Russian bloc and African nations such as Kenya and Ethiopia.

As for the numbers, the organisers say they have received over 27,000 entries 8212; all categories put together with this year8217;s figures showing an increase of 2,000. This forced the organisers to close registrations four weeks ago.

The event that features three races will see 50 of the best marathoners in the world, mostly from Africa, competing. Gulab Chand, R B Subba and Geeta Rani will lead the Indian participation. This year there will be a corporate relay run with ten teams participating in it.

Team India captain Rahul Dravid, who graced a media conference today, spoke about the spirit of camaraderie and of participation, also for a cause 8212; donations to various charities. He said he would have loved to have been part of it but for the Champions Trophy match at Jaipur against England later that day.

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He, however, extended his support to the event as well as the cause and, as a gesture, autographed two bats to be put on auction 8211; the proceedings of which will go to the charity that Give India manages.

Dravid, even as he strictly tried to avoid questions relating to the Champions Trophy, did admit that despite being a 1,500m runner in his college days himself, Mohammed Kaif was the best runner in Team India as the 8220;beep test8221; has often showed. 8220;But for Kaif, the rest of us are the worst,8221; he said in a lighter vein.