Organizers of ADHM have lined up some big stars for the 2009 event. This includes the complete podium from the last years event which saw an amazing performance with all the top 3 runners finishing under 1 hour mark, and Deriba Merga of Ethiopia running the fastest time of the year in 59:15.
Last years podium finishers, Kenyan runners Wilson Kipsang and Wilson Chebet will also be running. Other big names include 19 year old Ethiopian Tilahun Regassa, South African Stephen Mokoka and Qatar’s Ahmad Hassan Abdullah, all of whom are being considered as contenders for the title.
In the womens event, defending champion Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia, who won the 2009 edition in 67:48, will be returning this year. Other big runners include Kenyan Mary Keitany, who has the fastest time for 2009 at 67 minutes.
Deriba Merga – Career Highlights
- Boston Marathon, 2009 : Winner (2:08:42)
- Chevron Houston Marathon, 2009 : Winner (2:07:52)
- Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore, 2009: Winner
- Beijing Olympics, 2008 : 4th place (2:10:21)
- London marathon, 2009 : 6th place(2:06:38)
Aselfech Mergia – Career Highlights
- IAAF World Championships, Berlin, 2009 : 3rd (2:25:32)
- Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore, 2009: Winner
- Paris Marathon, 2009: 2nd (2:25:02)
- Ras-Al-Khaimah Half Marathon, 2009: 2nd (1:07:48)
- IAAF Half-Marathon World Championships 2008 : 2nd (1:09:57)
- Delhi Half Marathon, 2008: Winner (67:48)
Indian contingent at ADHM
The Athletics Federation of India has forwarded a strong field of Indian runners for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, led by the defending champions among the men and women, Sandeep Kumar and Kavita Raut. Both Sandeep and Kavita broke the existing course record for Indians while clocking 1:04.53 and 1:17.12 respectively.
The other big names among the Indian men are Ram Singh Yadav, thrice winner of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, Kashinath Asawale, runner-up at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in 2008, Deep Chand Saharan, Irappa Akki, B C Tilak and Soji Mathew.
Giving Kavita Raut a run for her money will be Preeti L Rao, 2008 runner-up, besides Sukanya Mall, Kiran Tiwary, Indresh Dhiraj and Vaishali Chatare.
