Mumbai Marathon accredited with Silver Label from IAAF

Mumbai, Dec 18 (UNI) The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, whose fifth edition will be held on January 20 next year, has been awarded the IAAF Silver Label.

Announcing this at a press conference here today, Vivek Singh of Procam International, the promoters of the event, said that there were stringent parameters to be adhered to for getting the Silver Label.

''Actually, we have adhered to all the parameters that are required for the Gold Label except for the timing part, therefore we had to settle for the Silver Label, which is also a creditable achievement,'' Singh said.

The timing part is mainly due to our weather in which getting good timing becomes difficult due to the heat and humidity and that is something about which we cannot do anything, he added.

Singh further informed that they have received a communication from Sean Walace-Jones, the Road Runner Coordinator of IAAF, on the awarding of the Silver Lable and the printed certificate is expected to follow soon.

He informed that to commemorate the fifth year of the event, special efforts are on to secure the participation of all the former overall men and women's champions and the latest communication from the Elite Athletes Coordinator Ian Ladbrooke said that initial confirmation has been received from the athletes.

Speaking about the event, Singh said that as usual there will be a lifestyle, fitness and health expo from January 16-19.

On the participation, he said that all the categories have been oversubscribed already with 500 foreign athletes from 54 countries expected to take part in the marathon.

GiveIndia, the Charity partner of the marathon, is expecting a 10 per cent increase from Rs 6.47 crore that was collected through charity last year.

UNI