5 reasons Mumbai Marathon is the most-high profile running event in India

The running movement in India has gained considerable ground over the last decade with marathons and half-marathons sprouting up in every other city. There are running communities that are growing by the weeks and huge turnouts witnessed in almost each of these events. However, having said that, the Mumbai Marathon remains unconquered as the numero uno running event in India.Here’s why:

#1 Largest in Asia

The Mumbai Marathon is the largest marathon not just in India, but the whole of Asia as well. It also happens to be the largest mass participation sporting event on the continent for the sheer numbers that turn up every year. 4,000 running places are on offer for the Full Marathon, while 14,000 places will be available for the Half Marathon. The Dream Run, including the DHL Corporate Champions, will accommodate 20,200 participants. 1500 entries will be permitted in the Senior Citizens’ Run, 300 entries for the Champions with Disability Event, and 100 entries will be accepted for the Police Cup, putting the total number of entries accepted at 40,100.

The first race in 2004 had 22,000 participants and its been increasing ever since with the 30,000 mark being crossed in 2007 and last year over 40,000 runners taking part.

#2 Richest in India

The Mumbai Marathon, which happens to kick-start the running season every year in India, also happens to be richest race in the country with a prize pool of USD $350,000. The winner in the Elite category (both men and women) will take home $41,000, while the runner-up and third place finishers will get $21,000 and $15,000 respectively. There’s also separate prize money in place for Indian finishers in the marathon (if they don’t happen to be in the overall top 10) with the top three places getting 5,00,000 rupees, 4,00,000 rupees and 3,00,000 rupees respectively. There’s also bonuses in store for runners who break the course record.

#3 Best records in India

The course records set at the 2013 edition of the Mumbai Marathon were the fastest times ever run for a marathon in India in both the men's and women's categories. That year Jackson Kiprop of Uganda completed the men’s race in a brilliant 2:09:32 (World Record – 2:02:57), while women’s winner Valentine Kipketer of Kenya ran a time of 2:24:33 (World Record – 2:15:25). So, the event continues to be the benchmark in terms of race times in the country.

#4 International ambassadors

The Mumbai Marathon every year has a special International Event Ambassador as a source of inspiration to athletes taking part in the event. These ambassadors have come from various sports and over the years some famous names such as Anju Bobby George, Kelly Holmes, Cathy Freeman and Haile Gebrselassie have graced the event in this capacity. This year’s International Event Ambassador is 2013 Wimbledon women’s champion, Marion Bartoli of France.

Below is the full list of international ambassadors since the event’s inception:2004 – Michael Duane Johnson; 2005 – Paul Tergat, Stephen Ovett; 2006 – Anju Bobby George, Linford Christie; 2007 – Rahul Bose, 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.

#5 IAAF Gold Label Race

The Mumbai Marathon became an IAAF Silver Label Road Race in 2009. A year later, the IAAF elevated the race to an IAAF Gold Label Road Race in 2010 and it remained in that category for three years until 2012. The criteria for the awarding of these labels are based on six general issues: race organisation, course timing and measurement, media services, quality of international field of runners, health and safety, and athlete equality.