Gopi T, Kheta Ram seal Rio berths

Nitendra Singh Rawat emerged the best Indian athlete after clocking 2:15:48 in the men’s full marathon of the Mumbai Marathon here on Sunday. In the process, he broke the Indian course record of Ram Singh Yadav (2.16.59). Uttarakhand’s Rawat, who had already qualified for the Rio Olympics, will be joined by fellow Army Sports Institute athletes Gopi T. and Kheta Ram in the Games. The Army Sports Institute, Pune trio finished 10th, 11th and 15th overall.

The home women athletes gave a better account of themselves, with Sudha Singh emerging fastest in the full marathon. She finished overall seventh with a timing of 2:39:28. Lalita Babar followed by clocking 2:41:55 to bag the overall 10th position. O.P. Jaisha claimed bronze finishing 11th overall with a timing of 2:43:26. Sudha, Lalita and Jaisha had already qualified for the Olympics but it was a treat for Gopi and Kheta Ram to make the cut for the Games first time.

Gopi of Kerala, who started as a pacemaker, went to finish the race with a timing of 2:16:15, behind Rawat. Rajasthan’s Kheta Ram claimed the third prize, clocking 2:17:23 well below the Olympic qualification mark of 2.19 to join Rio bound Gopi and Rawat.