Before most of you start reading this news, the Sabarmati Marathon will have already started. More than 10,000 participants, including international athletes, will be in action on this Sunday morning.
A major attraction here will be Robinson Kwemoi of Kenya, who is coming fresh from his victory in Goa last weekend. He bagged a prize of Rs60,000 there, and now aims to win the maximum, $12,000, from the total prize money of $100,000. All those who finish in the top 10 will walk away with prizes ranging from $350 to $8,500, while the top Indian finisher will be richer by $2,150.
Robinson will be accompanied by another regular, Peter Mwangi, at this race that marks Ahmedabad's 600 years and Gujarat's golden jubilee. The organizers have made arrangements to taken optimum care of the 10,000 runners. Acupressure clinics to relive muscular tension, and ice tubs will be set up at the riverfront.
Apart from the 42-km run, four other events - a half marathon (21 km), Amdavad Dream Run (6 km), a senior citizens' run (4.5 km) and special races for the disabled and visually impaired - will also be organised. Ahmedabad's first citizen Asit Vora is expected to run at the 6-km dream run.
The marathon will begin from Ellisbridge and cover Astodia, Kankaria, Danilimda, Ambedkar Bridge, Chandranagar, Nehrunagar, Shivranjani, Judges Bungalow Road, Vastrapur Lake, Drive-in Road, Helmet crossroads, AEC intersection and Ashram Road, among other stretches. The race will conclude at Ellisbridge.
With more than 10,000 registered participants, the marathon is likely to give the cops a tough time. Coping with sporting extravaganzas like Khel Mahakumbh and Swarnim Chess Mahotsav one after the other, and now with the marathon coinciding with the Kankaria festival, the men in khaki are expected to be on their toes. The police have urged citizens to cooperate with the police in the checking and frisking procedures, for their own safety
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