Moiben and Mekuria top the lists in Mumbai Marathon – PREVIEW – / By Ram. Murali Krishnan /

Mumbai, India – 18 January 2013 – It looks as if yesterday, but the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is already 10 years old and all set to celebrate its 10th running on Sunday (20 Jan).

Started in 2004, the race attained greater heights through the years with the inaugural winner of men’s race—Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa—went on to take the prestigious title in New York later that year.  At 40, the South African is making a historic come-back to Mumbai this time.

Will Moiben defend the men’s title?

Kenya’s Laban Moiben, who clocked an identical 2:10:48 with Raji Assefa last year before pips the Ethiopian at the post, is promised to defend his title.  Though Assefa did not turn-up Moiben will have tough time tackling another Ethiopian, Abraham Girma, to realise his effort.  Credited with a time of 2:06:48 for his fifth place in Amsterdam last year, Girma pose a real threat to Moiben.  This apart, teammate Elijah Kemboi also make things tougher for Moiben.  Kemboi recorded a PB of 2:07:51 at Kosice in 2012.  

John Kyui, winner of Nagpur International Marathon in 2011 who made it to the podium in Mumbai last year with a third place finish, is another country-mate to join Moiben for a better show on Sunday’s race.

Ethiopia also fields a veteran from the Mumbai roads in Geshaw Melese, who finished third in 2005 and was runner-up two years later.

There are four marathon debutants in the elite men’s field.  One of them, Jackson Kiprop of Uganda, is a training partner of Stephen Kiprotich—the winner of marathon in London Olympics!  

Mekuria to duel with Dula in women’s race

Lishan Dula, representing Bahrain with a PB of 2:26:56 clocked in Rotterdam two years ago, is set to

Clash with Ethiopians Aberume Mekuria (2:27:20 at Eindhoven in 2012) and Yeshimebet Tadesse (2:27:45 at Dubai in 2010) for the top spot in the women’s race.

Valentine Kipketer is another top runner from Kenya who appeared in the list with a 2:28:02 clocking, in Hamburg last year, is another woman to watch here.

Among the women, only two Ethiopians—Fantu Jimma and Desta Tadesse—sixth and eighth placed in 2012, returning to put a better show this time around.  Their teammates Sosena Tekle, winner of Istanbul Eurasia 15 km race two years ago, and Megra Marta are making a debut in the full marathon distance in Mumbai.

Winners of both men’s and women’s races will have a prize purse of USD 40,000 each waiting for them besides a course record bonus of USD 15,000 offered by the organisers in a total prize pot of USD 350,000.

Ethiopian Girma Assefa held the men’s record—2:09:54 since 2011—while his teammate Nestanet Abeyo clocked 2:26:12 for women last year.

Double Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie will be the brand ambassador for this year’s Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and eager to see the runners from his country to stand top of the podium on Sunday!

/ Ram. Murali Krishnan /