NEW DELHI: The much-anticipated annual Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) is around the corner. This year will be the 18th edition of the race which began in 2005. Since then, every year (except 2021) elite athletes (both international and Indian), professional long-distance runners (men and women), and running enthusiasts from all walks of life participate in the celebration of running.
There are various categories - Open 10k, Elite Half Marathon, Open Half Marathon, Senior Citizens Run, Champions with Disability Run and the Great Delhi Run - that constitute the overall event.
It is an AIMS-certified course (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) and is listed as a Gold Label Road Race by World Athletics. The course is considered as one of the fastest half marathon routes, and that's exactly the reason why the elite event has seen the best of the athletes in the world competing here since its inception.
Just like every other long and middle distance events, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners have held sway in the Delhi Half Marathon too.
The biggest of them all has to be Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, twice world record holder in full marathon, double Olympic champion and also a World championships gold medallist.
Kipchoge had come to Delhi in 2016, barely three months after taking the Olympic marathon title in Rio de Janeiro. There was fanfare all over the national Capital. He returned home after winning the half marathon, clocking 59.44.
Kipchoge was effusive in his praise for the route and the fans who had gathered along the course just to catch a glimpse of the athletics legend.
"The running conditions were good. My training was good and that's why I was able to win the race. But the main motivating factor for me was the crowd that had gathered along the route and kept cheering for us," Kipchoge had said.
Last year, Kipchoge expressed his desire to "run on Indian soil once again". "Six years ago, I ran the Delhi Half Marathon. I remember Delhi as one of the fastest half marathons. I'll come back to India in the future," he had said.
Besides Kipchoge, other Kenyan long-distance runners who have participated in the Delhi Half Marathon are: Edwin Kipyego, Geoffrey Mutai, Philip Rugut, Francis Kibiwott (all men); Mary Keitany, Lineth Chepkurui, Lucy Wangui, Florence Kiplagat and Cynthia Limo (all women).
Among Ethiopian long-distance running stars, who have graced the Delhi Half Marathon, are: Deriba Merga, Atsedu Tsegay, Andamlak Belihu, Amdework Walelegn, Chala Regasa (all men); Tsehay Gemechu, Worknesh Degefa, Irine Cheptai and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (all women).
The course records - both men and women - are held by the Ethiopians. The men's record is in the name of Amdework Walelegn, who won the title in 2020 with a timing of 58:53. The current women's record also is from the 2020 edition, when Yalemzerf Yehualaw won (1:04:46).
