Sushil, Shiny Wilson to grace Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon

The race is being organised by the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation.

Sushil, who added a silver medal at the London Olympics to his bronze medal at Beijing Olympics four years ago, would be present on the occasion to encourage the 10,000 plus runners taking part in the various age categories, a media release said today.

Greeting the runners alongside Sushil would be former 800m women's national champion and Olympian Shiny Wilson, who was the flag bearer of the country's contingent at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Shiny would lend support to the motto of the marathon which is "Save the girl child and maintain nature's balance", the release said.

Most of the leading Indian long distance runners have confirmed their participation for the full and half marathons, which will offer total prize money of around Rs 20 lakh, with the full marathon winner taking home Rs 2 lakh and the half marathon winners getting Rs 1 lakh each.

Also participating in the marathon would be former national swimmer turned model, Milind Soman.

Full marathon will be held only for men, while half marathon will be held in both men and women categories.

There is also a veteran (above 50 category) in the full marathon for men and half marathons for men and women.

Age group events will be held for boys under-20 (11km), boys under-17 (7km), girls under-17 (5km), boys under-14 (5km), girls under-14 (3km) and men and women above-60 (3km).