Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2009 Results: Merga wins again!

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Reigning champion, Deriba Merga of Ethiopia retained the crown again at the 5th edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, winning in 59:54, comparatively slower by last year’s standard when the race was won in 59:15 by Merga in what was the fastest half marathon time of 2008.

It was a closely fought race all the way (compatriot Eshetu Wendimu and last year’s runner-up Wilson Kipsang of Kenya being the other two), which I had an honour of witnessing first hand as the leading trio zoomed past me on their way back when I was just getting warmed up with my run!

Chip timing results and event photos available on marathon-photos.com. Click on the “Airtel Delhi Half Marathon” link and enter your BIB# or Surname to see.

This is Merga’s third consecutive win in India, with last years win in Delhi Half Marathon and the World 10K Run win in Bangalore.

In the womens race, a new course record was set as reigning world champion Mary Kietany of Kenya won in 1:06:54, not too far from the women’s world record time of 1:06:25. About 30,000 runners took part in the various runs of the day, including about 8500 in the half marathon in 19,000 in the Great Delhi Run.

Results (Men):

1. Deriba Merga (ETH) 00:59:54
2. Eshetu Wendimu (ETH) 1:00:02
3. Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 1:00:04.

Results (Women):

1. Mary Keitany (KEN) 1:06:54
2. Ayelew Wude (ETH) 1:07:58
3. Aberu Kebede (KEN)1:07:59

Results (Men: Indian)

1. Deepchand Saharan (1:04 mins)
2. Santhosh Kumar (1:05:10)
3. Soji Mathews (1:05:18)

1. Sukanya Mali (1:20:11)
2. Anuradha Singh (1:22:07)
3. Kamlesh Baghei (1:23:23)

Complete results of the event and official event report here.