Lynghkoi Binning and Lalita Babbar, who were the top finishers among Indian men and women last year, would lead the home nation's elite field of runners for the full race in the 11th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on January 19.
Asia's biggest marathon has attracted the cream of India's long distance runners, all vying for a piece of the overall prize money as well as separate Indian prize fund, which will see the Indian full marathon winners getting richer by Rs 5 lakh each.
Binning, a three-time top finisher among Indians earlier, will face tough opposition from the fastest athlete in the field, Ram Singh Yadav, returning after a one-year break.
Ram Singh, who clocked 2:16.59 in 2012 to also qualify for the London Olympics, has run sparingly last year, preparing for this event and could be the surprise package as he aims to better his personal best.
Binning, who won in 2010, 2011 and 2013, has a best time of 2:20.12 on this course and he, too, is looking to better his time and get close to his personal best of 2:17.33.
The other big Indian men's names in the fray are Elam Singh of ASI, Pune, who has a personal best of 2:18.27, Karan Singh, V L Dangi and Budha Ram, all capable of running below 2:21.
Sanvroo Yadav, who ran a strong race while winning the Vasai Virar Marathon in October with a time of 2:21, is also among the contenders and so are Arvind Kumar Yadav and K C Ramu.
A total of 28 elite Indian full marathoners will take the starter's flag from the flag-off position -- the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
The women's full marathon has been dominated by Lalita Babbar for the last two years and she will be aiming for a hat-trick. She is expected to face competition from Vijay Mala Patil and Rohini Raut, who finished second and third, respectively, last year.
