Mumbai Marathon 2012 lives up to its billing

From septuagenarians winning hearts to the race director being shooed off, the Mumbai Marathon lived up to its billing

Transcending barriers
Amidst the thousands of amateur, full marathon runners, a 76-year-old stood out. With a wooden stick and caretaker as support, Zend Merwan crossed the finish line. As he walked past the end point, he received a huge applause from other participants and the onlookers. Merwan was supposed to participate with his nine-year-old granddaughter but she fell ill and could not make it for the event. The 76-year-old, suffering from Parkinson disease for the last 10 years, still decided to participate in the run. “I definitely want to participate next year. I was so happy everyone was clapping for me,” said Zend with a twinkle in his eyes.

True journeyman
Meet Germany’s Guenter Martin, a sprightly 71-year-old. Running the Mumbai marathon was no big deal for the septuagenarian.

Look at his marathon record and you realise why. He has already run 60 full marathons and more than 100 half-marathons. A software professional, Martin participated in his first marathon in Munich when he was 37. But now, Martin has decided to run only five to eight kilometres. “I won’t be running a marathon now, it’ll be more or less like a race,” said the German. He was impressed though by the Indian marathon standards. “I was pleasantly surprised. It’s really good compared to what’s seen elsewhere,” he said.

A ‘Hugh’ error
Hugh Jones, the race director, has a huge fund of energy. From making certain that all the full marathons (men, women, amateurs) and half marathons go off smoothly to ensuring the athletes follow the route to the T, Jones was the event’s guiding force. He must have got a shock of his life when the policemen tried to get him out of the way for ‘obstructing’ the athletes. With the half marathoners on the final stretch, Jones spotted a police van right in the path of the runners. He jumped over the advertising boards and ran towards the van, yelling them to move out of the way. Instead, the two cops thought he was a spectator and started to shoo him away. It was only when a few volunteers convinced the policemen that he was the race director that they let him take control of the proceedings.

Winter effect?
One of the charms of the Mumbai Marathon is the crowds that fill the sidewalks and terraces to spur the runners on. However, on Sunday, the 42.195km stretch wore a deserted look, leaving us with a void feeling. Amateur marathoners and half-marathon runners, running towards the finish line, were the only ones seen cheering. Call it the winter effect. Well, it’s not easy getting up early on a chilly Sunday morning.

Starting trouble
Elite athletes’ consultant Ian Ladbrooke was in a state of panic. His scooter had starting problems, and it took quite a few efforts on his part to get the vehicle moving. Ladbrooke later joked about the incident. “It was not so much of a problem this time. Last year, after just one kilometre my scooter had a flat tyre.” Better luck next time, Ian.

Results
Marathon
Men: 1.Laban Moiben (KEN) 2:10.48; 2. Raji Assefa (ETH) 2:10.48; 3. John Kyul (KEN) 2:10.54
Women: Netsanet Abeyo (ETH) 2:26.12; Fatuma Sado (ETH) 2:30.20; Makda Harun (ETH) 2:30.47
Indian men: Ram Singh Yadav 2:16.59; Elam Singh 2:18.27; Rajesh TA 2:24.25
Indian women: Lalita Babbar 2:53.35; Kiran Tiwari 2:53.56; Preethi L Rao 3:01.34
Half marathon
Men: Soji Maathew 1:05.29; Ashish Singh 1:05.31; Man Singh 1:06.27; Women: Priyanka Singh Patel 1:21.55; Vijay Mala Patil 1:22.25; Supriya Patil 1:23.15