Mumbai Marathon

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Mumbai Marathon
Mumbai Marathon logo.png
The logo for Mumbai Marathon
DateThird Sunday of January
Location Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Event type Road running
Distance Marathon, Half marathon, 10K run
Primary sponsor Tata
Established2004 (2004)
Course recordsMen: 2:07:32 (2023)
Flag of Ethiopia.svg Lemi Hayle
Women: 2:24:15 (2023)
Flag of Ethiopia.svg Anchialem Haymanot
Official site Mumbai Marathon

The Mumbai Marathon (known as the TataMumbai Marathon for sponsorship reasons by Tata Group), [1] is an annual international marathon held in Mumbai, India, on the third Sunday of January every year. It is the largest marathon in Asia as well as the largest mass participation sporting event on the continent. It is the richest race in India with a prize pool of US$405,000. The IAAF elevated the race to an IAAF Gold Label Road Race in 2010.

Contents

The Mumbai Marathon has six different race categories: Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Dream Run (6 km), Senior Citizens' Run (4.3 km), Champions with Disability (2.4 km), and a Open 10K.

The course records set in 2013 were the fastest times ever run for a marathon in India in the women's marathon category – 2:24:33 by the women's winner Valentine Kipketer, Kenya. In 2020, Derara Hurisa broke the men's marathon record, completing the race in 2:08:09. In 2023, 2 new course records were set. For the men's, Hayle Lemi set a new record of 2:07:32 as the marathon's winner. For the women's, Anchialem Haymanot set a new record of 2:24:15 as the marathon's winner.

The event helped bridge the gap between Indian elite athletes and the international elite. Indian runner Ram Singh Yadav qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics with his best marathon time of 2:16:59 at the 2012 edition.

It was not held for two years in 2021 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following edition was held on 15 January 2023. [2]

History

Inspired by the London Marathon, Procam International believed that Mumbai would support such a road race. The first event was held in 2004, titled as the Standard Chartered Mumbai International Marathon. Standard Chartered Bank continued as the event's title sponsor for 14 years up until 2017. In 2018, the Tata Group and Tata Consultancy Services replaced Standard Chartered as the Marathon sponsor for a period of 10 years. [3]

In 2005, Mumbai Marathon was included as one of the legs of "The Greatest Race on Earth", sponsored by Standard Chartered. The other three legs of this four-marathon race were the Singapore Marathon, the Nairobi Marathon and the Hong Kong Marathon, which were all sponsored by the Bank as well.

The race became an IAAF Silver Label Road Race in 2009. The IAAF elevated the race to an IAAF Gold Label Road Race in 2010, which was taken away in 2013 [4] remaining unlabelled until 2018 when the Silver Label was awarded. The 2019 edition was classified as a Gold Label again. [5]

Inspiration Medal

The inspiration medal is an award that started in 2018, when Tata Group took control of the event. The initiative was to increase participation and encourage marathoners to complete the marathon run (42 km).The medal has two sides, and it reads the finisher on one side and the inspiration on the other. Hence, it helps to share the joy of winning with their inspiration. [6] [7] [8]

Organization

Mumbai Marathon is the property of Procam International Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based sports management company. Procam International also owns other road races in India such as the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore, and Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata.

The Race

Runners at the 2008 Mumbai Marathon. 2008 Mumbai Marathon.jpg
Runners at the 2008 Mumbai Marathon.

The six categories cater to different participants. They are the Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Dream Run (6 km), Senior Citizens Event (4.3 km), and Champions with Disability Event (2.4 km). The Open 10K has been introduced from the 2018 edition of the Mumbai Marathon.

The marathon starts opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai. It passes many of the city's iconic locations such as Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Haji Ali, Mahim Church, and the Bandra–Worli Sea Link. The London marathon winner and the secretary of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, Hugh Jones, is the race director.

Winners

Key:  Course record

EditionYearMen's winnerTime (h:m:s)Women's winnerTime (h:m:s)
1st2004Flag of South Africa.svg  Hendrick Ramaala  (RSA)2:15:47Flag of Poland.svg  Wioletta Uryga  (POL)2:47:53
2nd2005Flag of Kenya.svg  Julius Sugut  (KEN)2:13:20Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mulu Seboka  (ETH)2:35:03
3rd2006Flag of Kenya.svg  Daniel Rono  (KEN)2:12:03Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mulu Seboka  (ETH)2:33:15
4th2007Flag of Kenya.svg  John Kelai  (KEN)2:12:27Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Yang Fengxia  (CHN)2:36:16
5th2008Flag of Kenya.svg  John Kelai  (KEN)2:12:23Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Mulu Seboka  (ETH)2:30:04
6th2009Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenneth Mugara  (KEN)2:11:51Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Kebebush Haile  (ETH)2:34:08
7th2010Flag of Kenya.svg  Denis Ndiso  (KEN)2:12:40Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Bizunesh Urgesa  (ETH)2:31:09
8th2011Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Girma Assefa  (ETH)2:09:54Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Koren Jelela  (ETH)2:26:56
9th2012Flag of Kenya.svg  Laban Moiben  (KEN)2:10:48Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Netsanet Achamo  (ETH)2:26:12
10th2013Flag of Uganda.svg  Jackson Kiprop  (UGA)2:09:32Flag of Kenya.svg  Valentine Kipketer  (KEN) [9] 2:24:33
11th2014 [10] Flag of Kenya.svg  Evans Rutto  (KEN)2:09:33Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Dinknesh Mekash  (ETH)2:28:08
12th2015 [11] Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Tesfaye Abera  (ETH)2:09:46Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Dinknesh Mekash  (ETH)2:30:00
13th2016Flag of Kenya.svg  Gideon Kipketer  (KEN)2:08:35Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Shuko Genemo  (ETH)2:27:50
14th2017Flag of Tanzania.svg  Alphonce Simbu  (TAN)2:09:32Flag of Kenya.svg  Bornes Kitur  (KEN)2:29:02
15th2018Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Solomon Deksisa  (ETH)2:09:34Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Amane Gobena  (ETH)2:25:49
16th2019Flag of Kenya.svg  Cosmas Lagat  (KEN)2:09:15Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Worknesh Alemu  (ETH)2:25:45
17th2020Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Derara Hurisa  (ETH)2:08:09Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Amane Beriso  (ETH)2:24:51
2021Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022
18th2023Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Lemi Hayle  (ETH)2:07:32Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Anchialem Haymanot  (ETH)2:24:15
19th2024Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Lemi Hayle  (ETH)2:07:50Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Abersh Minsewo  (ETH)2:26:06
20th2025Flag of Eritrea.svg  Berhane Tesfay  (ERI)2:11:44Flag of Kenya.svg  Joyce Chepkemoi  (KEN)2:24:56

Multiple wins

By country

CountryMen'sWomen'sTotal
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 61521
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 10313
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 011
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 101
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 011
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 101
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 101
Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 101

Charity

The Mumbai Marathon is India's largest charity platform for non-profit organisations to raise funds. NGOs represent causes such as arts, culture and sports, civic and community development, disability, education, environment and wildlife, health, human rights, social services, vocational training, and women, children and the aged. Organizations register with the Event's official Philanthropy Partner, United Way Mumbai. Some NGOs used this event as a platform to raise awareness for their work, and some to directly raise funds. Fundraising is facilitated by an easy-to-use model designed for all groups to raise funds.

Over ₹1.9 billion (US$29 million) has been raised from year 2004 to year 2017.

The first race in 2004 had 22,000 participants and raised ₹14.4 million (US$269,000). Both the number of participants and amount of money raised rose drastically over the years with 30,000 people running in 2007 (₹79.4 million, US$1,490,000). The 2017 edition hosted 42,000 runners (₹329 million, US$5,087,761).

Dream Team

This special category is meant for highly motivated individuals who feel passionately about a cause and commit to raise a substantial sum of funds. Over the years, the Dream Team has seen a mix of business magnates, celebrities, socialites, NGO trustees and students. Levels include:

Corporate Challenge

The Corporate Challenge is a category for companies who wish to sponsor employee teams to participate in event and raise funds. 166 companies fielded 257 Corporate Challenge teams at Mumbai Marathon 2013.

Philanthropy Partner

United Way Mumbai is Mumbai Marathon's Philanthropy Partner. UWM assumes the role of a "Philanthropy Exchange" for charities and non-profit organizations that register with the Event. The Philanthropy Partner's roles are to:

UWM maintains neutrality and ensures a level playing field among all participating NGOs. UWM also serves as an assurance to the donor that the NGO and the cause for which money is being donated are credible.

Flame of Marathon

Mumbai Marathon was the youngest marathon to be awarded the "Flame of the Marathon". It was flown in from Greece by Maria Polyzou, Greek Marathon Champion and Director of the Museum of Marathon Runs. They were received by then Mayor of Mumbai Smt. Shraddha Jadhav at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The flame was carried by sports luminaries, celebrities, sponsors/partners and dignitaries from the government in a flame relay to the Hutatma Chowk in Fountain, Mumbai. The participants of the torch relay were celebrities including Priya Dutt, Jaspal Bindra, Rahul Bose, John Abraham, Shobha De, Milind Soman, Dhanraj Pillay and Kiran More.

Trophy

To commemorate Mumbai Marathon's 10th edition, a rolling trophy was instituted, to be handed over to the men's and women's marathon champions.

The trophy was unveiled by Shri K. Sankaranarayanan, (then) Governor of Maharashtra.

The trophy was designed by artist and sculptor Shri Paresh Maity.

Event Ambassadors

The international ambassadors for the Mumbai Marathon have been:

Sponsors/partners

References

  1. Soman, Milind; Pai, Roopa (23 January 2020). Made in India: A Memoir. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN   978-93-5305-745-9.
  2. "Tata Mumbai Marathon to be Held on January 15, 2023 After Two-year Gap". News18. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  3. "Tata replaces Standard Chartered as Mumbai Marathon sponsor". BestMediaInfo. 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  4. "IAAF Label Road Races 2013". Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. "Mumbai Marathon gets IAAF gold label". The Hindu . 15 September 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019 via PTI.
  6. "Inspiration Medal – YouTube". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2020 via YouTube.
  7. "Tata Mumbai Marathon introduces medal for 42k finishers and those who inspired them". Everything Experiential. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  8. "Inspirational Medal". Tata Mumbai Marathon. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  9. "Mumbai Marathon 2013 Winner". Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  10. "Kenyan Evans Ruto, Ethiopian's Dinknesh Mekash sweep titles, Lalita Babbar breaks Indian Women's course record". Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  11. "Ethiopians ruled the roost in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015". Online News India. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2014.