Satya Prakash, Leelamma win Indian Open Marathon titles

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) Twenty-nine-year-old Satya Prakash of Madhya Pradesh outran the famed trio of KC Ramu, Bhairav Singh Lone and Surender Kumar to lift the men's title while in-form Leelamma Alphanso of Railways won the women's crown in the Mawana Sugars Indian Open Marathon here today.

The men's full marathon was expected to be a three-horse race between Ramu, Bhariav and Surender but Satya Prakash stunned them all and clocked 2:31:26 to win the title, and get richer by Rs one lakh in the process.

Ramu, winner of last year's Bangalore International Marathon, came second after clocking 2:33:23, while Bhairav, winner of 1998 Rath Marathon, finished third with 2:34:58.

In the women section, Leelamma justified her billing and came first, clocking 3:11:22.47 to top the list, followed by Reena Das (3:22:51.91) and Th Pashotleima Devi (3:23:48.55). Leelamma, winner of last year's Bangalore International and Delhi International Marathon early this year, also pocketed Rs one lakh for her triumph.

In men's half marathon, UP's Ashok Kumar Yadav (1:11:30.26) stood first, followed by RB Subba (1:11:30:68) and Poonaram (1:11:40:96).

Another UP athlete, Shashtry Devi (1:24:49:5), won the women's half marathon, followed by Sarita Marbade (1:25:11:4) and Jaya Shree(1:32:26:6).

Flying Sikh Milkha Singh flagged off the run, attended by around 1700 runners, at the Nehru Stadium here this morning.

The event has been accorded the National Status by the Atheletic Federation of India and the points earned here would be counted for working out the team Championships in the National Open Athletics Championships to be held in New Delhi next month.

Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, gave away the prizes.

UNI AY SB VC1826