'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
New Delhi, 28 November 2013 In excess of 31,000 runners will take over the streets of New Delhi to run in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, the world’s most prestigious half marathon, on December 15. Among the 31,000 runners will be 11,700 that will run the half marathon over 21.097 kms, an increase of over 1,600 from last year. The Great Delhi Run has attracted a whopping 18,000 entries, the Senior Citizens’ Run will have 1,200 participants, while the Champions With Disability will have 200 participants.
The registration figures and new initiatives for the 9th edition of this event were announced by Procam International’s Vivek Singh and Bharti Airtel’s Chief Brand Officer Mohit Beotra at a press conference at Le Meridien on Thursday. Also present was Hitesh Sharma, COO Radio Mirchi, the Radio Partner to the event.
The occasion was also used to announce the name of 100m Olympic champion and World record holder Donovan Bailey of Canada as the Event Ambassador, along with ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh who will be the ‘Special Guest’.
Donovan Bailey’s association with ADHM is in line with Procam International’s efforts to bring some the world’s most accomplished sportsmen to India to raise the profile of distance running as a sport.
An elated Bailey said in a message, “I am delighted to be the Event Ambassador for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. It is so vital, that besides the amazing competitive field there is also the average runner who participates for health and fitness, charity and also for self belief. This event has always been very much of an anticipated event every year and 2013 should be no exception. I am honoured to be a part of it and encourage everyone to be a participant in whatever way possible. I am looking forward to my visit and my best wishes to the organisers, sponsors, runners, and most of all the city of Delhi.” Some of the other luminaries who have been event ambassadors in the past include names like Richard Hadlee, Allan Border, Jackie-Joyner Kersee, Daley Thompson, Catherine Freeman and David Rudisha, to name a few.
Mohit Beotra, Chief Brand Officer, Bharti Airtel said, “Taking forward our brand essence of fostering relationships, Airtel Delhi Half Marathon continues to bring together thousands of people with unique objectives be it - a noble cause, sporting spirit, fitness, or pure fun & celebration. It continues to grow as a cult sport with whopping number of registrations every year. We are ecstatic to know that 31,100 participants have registered to brave the winter chill and run this year making the 6th edition of ADHM bigger & better. We look forward to race day and to join participants at this very special event called Airtel Delhi Half Marathon!”
Indian defending champion Sudha Singh and Rahul Kumar launch the Licensed & Merchandised line of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2013 at Le Meridien in New Delhi on Thursday.
With an objective to enhance the experience & popularity of distance running, Procam International also launched a range of exciting event merchandise such as T-shirts with fun images or personalised with the runner’s race time; personalised mugs; head wraps and sipper bottles. Launched by the Indian defending champions, Rahul Kumar Pal and Sudha Singh, these can be purchased online at the ‘Get Active Event Expo’ from December 6 to 8, during the outstation bib collection on December 14 and on the Race Day. Licensed Merchandise can also be purchased online through the website www.procamrunning.in.
Bharti Airtel, Borges, Snickers, Oxfam India, Philips and Skoda are the sponsors for The Treadmillion Challenge (TC) - a build-up to the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon where people of Delhi NCR run for a noble cause of the welfare of the visually impaired children. For every kilometre covered, Radio Mirchi will contribute Rs. 5/- to Saksham School towards this initiative. Till date the Treadmillion Challenge has travelled to 29 locations including Malls, Colleges, Corporates and RWA’s. A total of 1900 plus people have so far participated in the Treadmillion Challenge at these various locations, accumulating a total of 900 plus kilometres and still counting.
This weekend sees the Treadmillion Challenge travelling to the Great Indian Place, Noida on November 28 and 29, followed by the Ambience Mall, Gurgaon on November 30 and December 1.
The ‘Get Active Event Expo’ will be organised a week ahead for the convenience of the runners to collect their respective numbers. It will be held at the NSIC ground, Exhibition Complex, Gate No. 3 & 4, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-III, Outer ring road, New Delhi-110020; near Govind Puri metro station from December 6 to 8, 2013. Confirmed participants from Delhi/NCR region can collect their running numbers along with the goodie bags in between 11.00 am to 7.00 pm on all the three days amidst entertaining activities like the popular zumba dance and interactive stalls of partners - Bharti Airtel, Reebok, Max Healthcare, Enerzal, Radio Mirchi and Concern India Foundation. In addition to the above, Oxfam India, Fitness First, Borges, Snickers, JK Developers, GU Labs and ASICS Japan will also have stalls at the Expo.
A limited number of running bibs will also be sold at the Expo by Concern India Foundation at their stall, with the proceeds going towards charity. Bibs for the Half Marathon will be available for Rs. 2000/-, and that of the Great Delhi Run for Rs. 1500/-.
Outstation participants can collect their running numbers and goodie bags on December 14, 2013 in between 11.00 am and 7.00 pm at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium through Gate No. 14.
Revised start times: The Half Marathon for Elite men will start at 7.20 am, followed by the Half Marathon for Elite women at 7.25 am. The DHL Corporate Champions race will be flagged off at 7.30 am, followed by the various timed categories in the Open Half Marathon, which will be flagged off between 7.40 am and 8.00 am. These will be followed by the Champions With Disability at 8.10am, the Senior Citizens’ Run at 8.20 am and the Great Delhi Run at 9.30 am.
