Report by News Agencies
Pictures: Rons Banwtal exclusively for Daijiworld.com
MUMBAI, Jan 15: Daniel Rono of Kenya upset a formidable field of favourites to emerge as a surprise men's winner, while defending champion Mulu Seboka of Ethiopia retained the women's crown, in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2006.
Flagged off by Union Sports Minister, Oscar Fernandes, the marathon witnessed several celebrities and film stars either participating or cheering participants.
Rono, who earned a winner's cheque of $30,000, ran a tactical race on a flat and fast course in the 42.195 km Full Marathon and left the rest of the pack behind on the home stretch to clock an impressive 2:12:03 that dwarfed last year's winner Julius Sugut's timing of 2:13:20.
Abishek Bachchan - Rani Mukerji
Azaruddin - Sangeetha Bijalani
The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) is the third leg of the 'World Cup of Marathons', which began in Nairobi in October 2005 and moved on to Singapore in December. After Mumbai, the event's final leg will be held in Hong Kong on February 12. The run was divided into five categories: the longest run was of 42.195 km, the half marathon of 21.097 km, while the Dream Run was of seven km. The Senior Citizens' Run spanned five km, while the Wheelchair Event was of 3.5 km. The total prize money on offer was USD 210,000.
Dabbawalas
Priya Dutt
For charities too, there was money in the race. Each NGO got Rs one lakh from the sponsors for getting a celebrity to run seven-km in the marathon.
As was expected, the Mumbai Marathon drew celebrities and film stars, who participated and cheered those participating. Pop singer Sunita Rao and Hindi film `Iqbal' director Nagesh Kukoonur participated on behalf of the Spastic Society of India, lending a helping hand to participants of wheelchair category.
S M Krishna
Anil Ambani - Tina Ambani
Former cricketers Mohammed Azharuddin and Vinod Kambli, film stars, Tara Sharma, Meeta Vashisht, Vinod Khanna, Rahul Bose, industrialists Anil Ambani and Anand Mahindra participated in the 'Dream Run'.
Filmstars Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee flagged off two events and also greeted the participants. Actress of yesteryears, Tina Ambani was seen shaking hands with senior citizens, admiring their spirit. She was joined by mother-in-law, Kokilaben Ambani.
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