December date for Delhi Half Marathon

The capital city is gearing up to stage the 9th edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2013, on December 15. The race, to be held under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India, carries a prize purse of $210,000, making it the richest half marathon in the world. The ADHM 2013 is expected to attract around 40 of the world’s top 100 men’s and women’s long distance runners, who would be joined by sports loving enthusiasts from all walks of life. The registration for the race was declared open on Thursday with Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit being the first to sign for it. Unlike last few years, the race will be held for the first time in the month of December, and the organisers are expecting lower timing or records from the runners. Vivek B. Singh, joint manager of organisers Procam International, said: “The race was originally scheduled for November 24, but as the Delhi elections are due to happen around the same time, we had to shift it to December. I hope the athletes are happy knowing about the new date as it will help them record low timings. “Cooler the temperature means there will be more course records. Last year, the races were held in September and it was quite warm, making it difficult for the runners,” Vivek said adding that better climate would also attract a stronger field. Apart from the winners’ (men’s and women’s) prize purse of $25,000 each, a bonus of $7,500 (each in the men’s and the women’s category) is up for the grabs for new course records. Besides the Half Marathon, the event will also feature like the Great Delhi Run, the senior citizen’s run and the wheelchair run. Said AFI secretary general C.K. Valson, “The ADHM is improving every year and drawing the attention of world-class athletes. The AFI will extend all facilities to make the event a success.”