Delhi Half Marathon promises tight finish

NEW DELHI: The main contenders for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon men's title are working overtime to breach the 60-minute mark in the event, but their Indian counterparts have set themselves lesser but realisable targets.
Last year's winner in Indian men's category, Ram Singh Yadav, leads the hosts' challenge with Deep Chand and Mukesh Kumar, who finished second and third respectively in the same category last year and would like to improve upon their timings.
The organisers have also been able to rope in Olympian Surendra Singh and winner of the 2008 Chennai Marathon, Santosh Kumar.
Ian Ladbroke had recently said about Surendra that he "stands a very good chance of clocking 63 minutes and finishing amongst the top runners". Surendra has a personal best of 64 minutes.
A first timer for this event Surendra didn't sound satisfied with his preparations though. "After the Olympics I took a break. I would not term my preperations as very good but would look to beat some Kenyans and Ethiopians, which I did at the Bangalore and Mumbai races."
Runner-up in the 10,000m in Bangalore this year, Santosh Kumar finished fourth among the Indians last year and is hoping to turn it around this time. He has set himself a 63-minute target.
In the women's section, 2007 winner Kavita Raut comes back from an injury to defend her title. "I wasn't prepared last year. I was not sure if I could finish 21km. I am coming back from an injury and have prepared for one month this time. Whatever happens you will come to know tomorrow. Either you will see me here addressing a press conference or outside."
Raut, who clocked 78:34 last year, made her way into the national record books in Bangalore by clocking 74 minutes and will look to either match that or better it.
Preethi Rao, will be giving close company to Raut. "At the start point, I think I can beat everyone. I will run my best," was her remark on her chances against her opponents.