Elam Singh, Neeraj Pal for Vasai-Virar marathon

Services runners Elam Singh, a former steeplechase national champion, and defending champion Neeraj Pal Singh are strong contenders to claim the title at the fifth Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon on Sunday next.
Elam had clocked an impressive 2:18:27s when finishing second among Indian runners in the 2012 Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon while Neeraj turned in a personal best of 2:22:38s while winning this race last year.
But they can expect tough competition from the likes of Prahlad Sahai Meena, who ran the 2014 Kolkata Marathon in 2:21:29s and national camper Nitendra Singh Rawat who finished eighth in this year's Military Games with a timing of 2:18:07s.

The men's and women's half marathon races, also scheduled on November 23, are also expected to witness keen competition.
Ahmedabad marathon winner V L Dangi, steeplechaser Sanjit Luwang (among men), Kavita Raut (finished first in the women's 21-km race in Mumbai Marathon this January) and Kiran Sahdev (Bengaluru half marathon women's winner) are among those in fray.
A total prize money of Rs 26 lakh is on offer in the national level event which has got the sanction of the Athletics Federation of India, it was announced at a media conference today.