Strong field for New Delhi Marathon

Defending champion T. Gopi, Nitendra Singh Rawat and Kheta Ram will be the favourites in the mens category while Monica Athare and Jyoti Gawate will headline the women's section at the New Delhi Marathon here on Sunday.

In all, a total of 65 elite Indian athletes will fire up the starting line.

Participating for the second consecutive year, Gopi will be defending his title and is brimming with confidence for the top slot on the podium.

"I've practised a lot for the New Delhi Marathon. Since I wasn't able to give my best timing in Mumbai, I'll try hard to achieve my best timing here," he said.

"The weather and the route in Delhi is always good. I'm sure that the weather conditions will help me get a good timing so that I can qualify for both Commonwealth and Asian Games."

Rawat, meanwhlie, felt that the conditions are perfect for fast timings.

"The route and the weather in Delhi are really good. Our practice session has been good so far and I hope we all qualify for the Commonwealth Games," he said.

Kheta Ram who stood third in the Half Marathon here last year, will be running the Full marathon this year. He felt that the weather is favourable here and will help him achieve his best timing.

All three trained together at Ooty, Tamil Nadu and they feel that the Ooty weather is very much like Delhi which will help them achieve their goal.

Monica Athare made her full marathon debut here at the IDBI Federal New Delhi Marathon 2017, and went on to win the title in her maiden attempt.

In her second attempt here, her target is to complete the race with a good qualifying time to make the cut for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

"I have prepared myself well, and look forward to making the qualifying mark for CWG," Athare said.

--IANS

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