East Africans expected to dominate Nagpur Marathon

Nagpur, Jan 29 (PTI) Athletes from East African nationsare expected to dominate the third edition of the NagpurInternational Marathon tomorrow.

Indian challenge in the women''s section will be led byKavita Raut, who had won bronze in the Commonwealth Games andsilver in the Asian Games, both in 10,000m.

Over 50 East African athletes have already landed in thecity, said Vilas Muttemwar, former union minister and thechief organiser of the Marathon.

He said about 1.50 lakh runners would participate.

Last year''s runner-up Kahuruzi Oswald Reverian ofTanzania (best timing: 2.13.05 hours) and Zurich Marathonsecond position holder Nzioki Eric Lussa (best timing: 2.10hours) of Kenya, alongwith fellow athlete Cheruiyor Gilbert(best timing: 2.12.33 hours) are strong contenders.

India''s Dattatraya Jaybhoye, who finished eighth in AsianMarathon in Seoul (Korea) with a timing of 2.23 hours, mayfind it hard to match up to the Africans.

Olympic bronze madallist boxer Vijender Singh will flagoff the Marathon at 6:30 am at Kasturchnnd Park here.