Robin, Varsha take top honours in Mumbai Half Marathon

Delhi's Robin Singh thwarted hat-trick hunter Dnyaneshwar Morgha to claim the 'IDBI Federal Life Insurance Mumbai Half Marathon' here on Sunday.

Robin had to brave a heavy morning downpour and a persistent challenge from Dnyaneshwar to finish the 21-km run in 1:11:43 hrs, almost two minutes ahead of the defending champion.

Mumbai's Varsha Namdev Bhawari proved to be untouchable among the ladies, pocketing the title almost in a canter.

She completed the roundabout distance from and to Jio Gardens at the Bandra Kurla Complex in 1:33:38 hrs.

Robin broke away from the pack early on and calmly kept widening the gap between himself and the rest.

Dnyaneshwar, however, stayed within striking distance for the most part and made a final dash but could only manage a 1:13:44-hr finish.

Dnyaneshwar probably had to worry more about the man breathing down his neck than the crown that was slipping away from his fingers.

Last year's runner-up Parshram Bhoi almost pipped him at the post, coming in third just a second behind him.

The women's contest too turned out to be intriguing.

Varsha was the undisputed queen though last year's runner-up Sayali Kupate gave her a run for her money.

They were almost shoulder to shoulder for about 15 kilometres before Kupate lost some steam and settled for the silver.

Nayan Balasaheb Kirdak clocked 1:38:24 hr to win the bronze medal.