Olympic Champions Ready to Ignite Delhi Roads in Spectacular Sunday Showcase

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It's fun to run on a flat, quick course. That is what the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon offers participants from all around the world in the Indian capital New Delhi.

Some of the greatest athletes in the world will compete in the 18th edition of the yearly sports event on Sunday, October 15, 2023. These are some quotes from today's news conference with top athletes held in advance of the yearly competition.

Chala Regasa, the current champion from Ethiopia, revealed in a press conference "I'm glad to be here, and I'm eager to participate in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I feel good."

The favourite for this year's race, Daniel Ebenyo, has already demonstrated his mettle by winning a silver medal in the World Half Marathon Championships held in Riga earlier this month. He also won a silver medal at the 10,000m event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year. He thanked the organisers for making it possible for him to compete in Delhi's elite field and said he is delighted to be there.

Ebenyo used to run the 24 kilometres to and from school each day when he was younger. "I began running when I was 12 years old. I used to see photographs of people running in magazines, which motivated me to start running "He disclosed in the meeting.

Another top runner from Kenya, Leonard Barsoton, has won the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K twice so he is no stranger to Indian roads.

"I adore India, and India adores me. When I visit India, I always prevail. Last year, I struggled with an Achilles ailment, but I am now totally recovered. I'm hoping to set a new personal best on Sunday "This evening, Barsoton stated.

Vivian Cheruiyot, a 5000m Olympian from Rio who has a plethora of world championships to her name, is in the women's field.

"I'm grateful that Delhi invited me to participate in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I've been absent for a while due to having a child, and I'm looking forward to the race on Sunday. I would say that seeing photos of myself sprinting makes me really pleased, and it's a privilege for an athlete. I visited Delhi for the first time in 2010 and quite appreciated the attention.

Two elite Ethiopian women, including Mare Dibaba and Almaz Ayana, who won this competition in 2017
Almaz competed in the 10,000-meter race in the 2016 Olympics, just like Vivian, and Dibaba took home the bronze in the marathon.

The approaching event and the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon have me very thrilled. Despite the deficit, I am prepared for the race on Sunday.

"Because I am returning from an injury and a lengthy sabbatical, I am looking forward to the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon since it will enable me to gauge where I stand in terms of both external standards and internal ones. I will undoubtedly benefit from the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and after I see how I perform, I will make a decision about the future.

"This Sunday, will be my first race of the year," said Mare Dibaba, who is competing in her 24th half marathon. The heat is not a big concern for me. For a pleasant race, a proper temperature is crucial. But, I'm hoping everything goes smoothly and that we have a successful race.

Details of the USD 268,000 prize pool for the VDHM 2023 will attract tens of thousands of amateur athletes to compete with the greatest elites on one of the world's fastest courses.

The top 10 finishers in both the men's and women's divisions will share in the prize money of USD 27,000, which goes to the International Elite champions in each gender. A $ 12,000 Event Record Bonus is additionally available.