Mumbai Marathon
The Mumbai Marathon (known as the Tata Mumbai Marathon for sponsorship reasons by Tata Group),[1] is an annual international marathon held in Mumbai, India, on the third Sunday of January every year. It is the largest marathon in Asia as well as the largest mass participation sporting event on the continent. It is the richest race in India with a prize pool of US$405000.
| Mumbai Marathon | |
|---|---|
The logo for Mumbai Marathon | |
| Date | Third Sunday of January |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Event type | Road running |
| Distance | Marathon, Half marathon, 10K run |
| Primary sponsor | Tata |
| Established | 2004 |
| Course records | Men: 2:07:32 (2023) Hayle Lemi Women: 2:24:15 (2023) Anchialem Haymanot |
| Official site | Mumbai Marathon |
The Mumbai Marathon has six different race categories: Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Dream Run (6 km), Senior Citizens' Run (4.3 km), Champions with Disability (2.4 km), and a Timed 10K.
The course records set in 2013 were the fastest times ever run for a marathon in India in the women's marathon category – 2:24:33 by the women's winner Valentine Kipketer, Kenya. In 2020, Derara Hurisa broke the men's marathon record, completing the race in 2:08:09. In 2023, 2 new course records were set. For the men's, Hayle Lemi set a new record of 2:07:32 as the marathon's winner. For the women's, Anchialem Haymanot set a new record of 2:24:15 as the marathon's winner.
The event helped bridge the gap between Indian elite athletes and the international elite. Indian runner Ram Singh Yadav qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics with his best marathon time of 2:16:59 at the 2012 edition.
It was not held for two years in 2021 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following edition was held on 15 January 2023.[2]
History edit
Inspired by the London Marathon, Procam International believed that Mumbai would support such a road race. The first event was held in 2004, titled as the Standard Chartered Mumbai International Marathon. Standard Chartered Bank continued as the event's title sponsor for 14 years up until 2017. In 2018, the Tata Group and Tata Consultancy Services replaced Standard Chartered as the Marathon sponsor for a period of 10 years.[3]
In 2005, Mumbai Marathon was included as one of the legs of "The Greatest Race on Earth", sponsored by Standard Chartered. The other three legs of this four-marathon race were the Singapore Marathon, the Nairobi Marathon and the Hong Kong Marathon, which were all sponsored by the Bank as well.
The race became an IAAF Silver Label Road Race in 2009. The IAAF elevated the race to an IAAF Gold Label Road Race in 2010, which was taken away in 2013[4] remaining unlabelled until 2018 when the Silver Label was awarded. The 2019 edition was classified as a Gold Label again.[5]
Inspiration Medal edit
The inspiration medal is an award that started in 2018, when Tata Group took control of the event. The initiative was to increase participation and encourage marathoners to complete the marathon run (42 km).The medal has two sides, and it reads the finisher on one side and the inspiration on the other. Hence, it helps to share the joy of winning with their inspiration.[6][7][8]
Organization edit
Mumbai Marathon is the property of Procam International Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based sports management company. Procam International also owns other road races in India such as the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore, and Tata Steel Kolkata 25K.
The Race edit
The six categories cater to different participants. They are the Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Dream Run (6 km), Senior Citizens Event (4.3 km), and Champions with Disability Event (2.4 km). The Timed 10K has been introduced from the 2018 edition of the Mumbai Marathon.
The marathon starts opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai. It passes many of the city's iconic locations such as Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Haji Ali, Mahim Church, and the Bandra–Worli Sea Link. The London marathon winner and the secretary of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, Hugh Jones, is the race director.
Winners edit
Key: Course record
| Edition | Year | Men's winner | Time (h:m:s) | Women's winner | Time (h:m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2004 | Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) | 2:15:47 | Wioletta Uryga (POL) | 2:47:53 |
| 2nd | 2005 | Julius Sugut (KEN) | 2:13:20 | Mulu Seboka (ETH) | 2:35:03 |
| 3rd | 2006 | Daniel Rono (KEN) | 2:12:03 | Mulu Seboka (ETH) | 2:33:15 |
| 4th | 2007 | John Kelai (KEN) | 2:12:27 | Yang Fengxia (CHN) | 2:36:16 |
| 5th | 2008 | John Kelai (KEN) | 2:12:23 | Mulu Seboka (ETH) | 2:30:04 |
| 6th | 2009 | Kenneth Mugara (KEN) | 2:11:51 | Kebebush Haile (ETH) | 2:34:08 |
| 7th | 2010 | Denis Ndiso (KEN) | 2:12:40 | Bizunesh Urgesa (ETH) | 2:31:09 |
| 8th | 2011 | Girma Assefa (ETH) | 2:09:54 | Koren Jelela (ETH) | 2:26:56 |
| 9th | 2012 | Laban Moiben (KEN) | 2:10:48 | Netsanet Achamo (ETH) | 2:26:12 |
| 10th | 2013 | Jackson Kiprop (UGA) | 2:09:32 | Valentine Kipketer (KEN)[9] | 2:24:33 |
| 11th | 2014[10] | Evans Rutto (KEN) | 2:09:33 | Dinknesh Mekash (ETH) | 2:28:08 |
| 12th | 2015[11] | Tesfaye Abera (ETH) | 2:09:46 | Dinknesh Mekash (ETH) | 2:30:00 |
| 13th | 2016 | Gideon Kipketer (KEN) | 2:08:35 | Shuko Genemo (ETH) | 2:27:50 |
| 14th | 2017 | Alphonce Simbu (TAN) | 2:09:32 | Bornes Kitur (KEN) | 2:29:02 |
| 15th | 2018 | Solomon Deksisa (ETH) | 2:09:34 | Amane Gobena (ETH) | 2:25:49 |
| 16th | 2019 | Cosmas Lagat (KEN) | 2:09:15 | Worknesh Alemu (ETH) | 2:25:45 |
| 17th | 2020 | Derara Hurisa (ETH) | 2:08:09 | Amane Beriso (ETH) | 2:24:51 |
| – | 2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| – | 2022 | ||||
| 18th | 2023 | Lemi Hayle (ETH) | 2:07:32 | Anchialem Haymanot (ETH) | 2:24:15 |
| 19th | 2024 | Lemi Hayle (ETH) | 2:07:50 | Abersh Minsewo (ETH) | 2:26:06 |
Multiple wins edit
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By country edit
Charity edit
The Mumbai Marathon is India's largest charity platform for non-profit organisations to raise funds. NGOs represent causes such as arts, culture and sports, civic and community development, disability, education, environment and wildlife, health, human rights, social services, vocational training, and women, children and the aged. Organizations register with the Event's official Philanthropy Partner, United Way Mumbai. Some NGOs used this event as a platform to raise awareness for their work, and some to directly raise funds. Fundraising is facilitated by an easy-to-use model designed for all groups to raise funds.
Over ₹1.9 billion (US$29 million) has been raised from year 2004 to year 2017.
The first race in 2004 had 22,000 participants and raised ₹14.4 million (US$269,000). Both the number of participants and amount of money raised rose drastically over the years with 30,000 people running in 2007 (₹79.4 million, US$1,490,000). The 2017 edition hosted 42,000 runners (₹329 million, US$ 5,087,761).
Dream Team edit
This special category is meant for highly motivated individuals who feel passionately about a cause and commit to raise a substantial sum of funds. Over the years, the Dream Team has seen a mix of business magnates, celebrities, socialites, NGO trustees and students. Levels include:
- Dream Champion – minimum pledge of INR 1 million.
- Dream Wizard – minimum pledge of INR 500,000
- Dream Maker – minimum pledge of INR 100,000
Corporate Challenge edit
The Corporate Challenge is a category for companies who wish to sponsor employee teams to participate in event and raise funds. 166 companies fielded 257 Corporate Challenge teams at Mumbai Marathon 2013.
Philanthropy Partner edit
United Way Mumbai is Mumbai Marathon's Philanthropy Partner. UWM assumes the role of a "Philanthropy Exchange" for charities and non-profit organizations that register with the Event. The Philanthropy Partner's roles are to:
- Facilitate & supplement pledge raising efforts of individuals, companies and NGOs.
- Create, build and communicate the Charity Structure.
- Work on all aspects of Charity like registrations, race day logistics, communications and receiving donations.
- Accounting & reconciling of Pledges.
- Disbursement of funds to beneficiary NGOs.
- 80G receipts to all donors.
UWM maintains neutrality and ensures a level playing field among all participating NGOs. UWM also serves as an assurance to the donor that the NGO and the cause for which money is being donated are credible.
Flame of Marathon edit
Mumbai Marathon was the youngest marathon to be awarded the "Flame of the Marathon". It was flown in from Greece by Maria Polyzou, Greek Marathon Champion and Director of the Museum of Marathon Runs. They were received by then Mayor of Mumbai Smt. Shraddha Jadhav at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The flame was carried by sports luminaries, celebrities, sponsors/partners and dignitaries from the government in a flame relay to the Hutatma Chowk in Fountain, Mumbai. The participants of the torch relay were celebrities including Priya Dutt, Jaspal Bindra, Rahul Bose, John Abraham, Shobha De, Milind Soman, Dhanraj Pillay and Kiran More.
Trophy edit
To commemorate Mumbai Marathon's 10th edition, a rolling trophy was instituted, to be handed over to the men's and women's marathon champions.
The trophy was unveiled by Shri K. Sankaranarayanan, (then) Governor of Maharashtra.
The trophy was designed by artist and sculptor Shri Paresh Maity.
Event Ambassadors edit
The international ambassadors for the Mumbai Marathon have been:
- 2004—Michael Duane Johnson
- 2005—Paul Tergat, Steve Ovett
- 2006—Anju Bobby George, Linford Christie
- 2007—Dame Kelly Holmes, Aravinda De Silva
- 2008—Gabriela Szabo
- 2009—Gail Devers
- 2010—Daniel O'Brien
- 2011—Catherine Freeman
- 2012—Vijay Amritraj
- 2013—Haile Gebrselassie
- 2014—Damon Hill
- 2015—Marion Bartoli
- 2016—Edwin Moses
- 2017—David Rudisha
- 2018—Sergey Bubka
- 2019—Mary Kom
- 2020—Shannon Miller
- 2023—Yohan Blake
Sponsors/partners edit
- Title sponsor: Tata
- Channel partner: Star Sports
- Sports Goods partner: Asics
- Driven by: Altroz
- Timing partner: Seiko
- Recovery partner: Volini
- Hydration partner: Bisleri
- Hospitality partner: Trident
- Print partner: The Times of India
- Radio partner: Radio Mirchi
- Medical Partner: Asian Heart Institute
- Philanthropy partner: United Way Mumbai
- Institution partner: HelpAge India
- Supported by: Government of Maharashtra, M.C.G.M, Indian Navy
- Under the aegis of: Athletics Federation of India
- Certified by: AIMS
References edit
- ^ Soman, Milind; Pai, Roopa (23 January 2020). Made in India: A Memoir. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5305-745-9.
- ^ "Tata Mumbai Marathon to be Held on January 15, 2023 After Two-year Gap". News18. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Tata replaces Standard Chartered as Mumbai Marathon sponsor". BestMediaInfo. 2 August 2017. from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "IAAF Label Road Races 2013". from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Mumbai Marathon gets IAAF gold label". The Hindu via (PTI). 15 September 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Inspiration Medal - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Tata Mumbai Marathon introduces medal for 42k finishers and those who inspired them". Everything Experiential. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Inspirational Medal". Tata Mumbai Marathon. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Mumbai Marathon 2013 Winner". from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
- ^ . Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Ethiopians ruled the roost in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015". Online News India. from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
External links edit
- Running Races in India
- 2009 Mumbai Marathon in Photos