The 24th Pune International Marathon reportedly went without glitches which had seen last years race end in total chaos. The run was flagged off by Union Minister of State for External Affairs minister Shashi Tharoor and Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia was also present for the glam quotient.
Next year will see the 25th Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the event, and the race has been designated the Asian Marathon Championships by the Association of International Marathons and Distances Races (AIMS).
The Race was won by Augustine Ronoh of Kenya in a time of 2:13:05.
Results Summary:
Men’s full Marathon:
1. Augustine Ronoh (Kenya, 2:13:05)
2. Peter Mutisya (Kenya, 2:15:17)
3. Andrea Silvini Mathiya (Tanzania, 2:15:59)
4. Eyop Woldegelorgis (Ethiopia, 2:16:34)
5. Benson Kipsosgey (Kenya, 2:17:09)
6. Martin Musembi (Kenya , 2:18:13)
7 Patrick Nhyangero Lusato (Tanzania, 2:19:12)
Women’s Half-Marathon
1. Agnes Katunge Mutune (Kenya, 1:10:30)
2. Pauline Mutwa Thitu (Kenya, 1:10:40)
3. Hellen Nzembi Musyoka (Kenya, 1:10:50)
4. Kavita Raut (India, 1:12:50)
5. Josephine Muthio Kimuyu (Kenya, 1:15:10)
6. Euniice Mumbua Kioko (Kenya, 1:15:20)
7. Lydia Ruto (Kenya, 1:16:10)
Indians at Pune Marathon
Arvind Kumar Yadav from Railways won in 2:22:21 (overall 13th). ASI’s Ram Singh came second (overall 14th) followed by Western Railway’s Soji Mathew (overall 15th).
All said, Pune marathon remains one of the oldest marathon races in India which continues to disappoint year after year with its poor organization, and this year, this fact was repeated with poor handling of 10K runners (confimed by my contact in Pune). God knows what happens with the non-elites at these marathons – any inputs in the form of comments on this article below the post would be greatly appreciated.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Last year’s (2009) Men’s Over 60-3k event was typical Pune Marathon. I am a 73-year-old male who has run many marathons all over the world, but am not allowed to enter this particular one. So this year I entered the 3k which I won easily. However when I reached the finishing line I found that I was placed 7th, and two women had also beat me. However when the next man to finish after me was placed 8th he went berserk. He told me that he was immediately behind me and he knew we were the first two. He created such a commotion that the results were cancelled and so was the prize giving.
I would like to talk to you about this race and Pune running in general. Please contact me if you can spare the time