Top World runners for 3rd Vodafone Delhi Half Marathon

New Delhi, Oct 22 (UNI) A star studded including world no 3 Wilson Kiprotich, defending champions Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkirui (all Kenya) in men and women section respectively will show case their wares in the World's richest 160,000 dollar prize money in the 3rd Vodafone Delhi Half Marathon to be held here on October 28.

Five men and Four women runners who feature in the World's top ten in their respective categories will be seen in action in the race.

The organisers asserted here this evening that all systems are in place to deliver yet another electrifying world class event.

The field of elite athletes, has been carefully selected, keeping alive the possibility of the existing winning time of 61.36 being lowered.

The field includes among others world number 5, Francis Kibiwott, who won the last edition in 1:01.36. Wilson Kiprotich, who had finished third here last year. Rwanda's Diudone Disi, ranked number 6, was placed 6th last year. World number 7 Kenya's Philip Rugut, winner of the first edition of Delhi Half Marathon in 2005.

Tanzania's John Yuda, ranked number 10, Dickson Marwa Mkami and Zimbabwe's Wirimayi Juwawo.

In the women section among the leading participents are Kenya's Lineth Chepkirui who returns to defend the title she won last year with a timing of 70.40 will batle out with compatriot Hellen Jemaiyo Kimutai,world number 10 Deriba Alemu of Ethiopia.

Other title contenders in the field are Russians Irina Timofey, Venera Sarmosova and Zimbabwe's Tabitha Tsatsa (Zimbabwe) India will be represented by a strong home contingent led by defending champions (Indian section) Ram Singh Yadav and Pampa Chanda. Some of the other fancied Indian names include Bhairav Singh Lone, P Nagendra Rao, Bipul Saharia and R D Subba among the men, Rina Das and L Aruna Devi among the women.

The venue of the Start and Finish has been shifted from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to the Central Secretariat Grounds on Vinay Marg.

Around 28,000 participants are expected to take part in this sporting spectacle across the four categories beginning with the Senior Citizens' Run at 7.10 a.m.

This will be followed by the Half Marathon at 7.45 a.m. The wheelchair event will be flagged off at 8.00 a.m. followed by the Great Delhi Run at 9.45 a.m.

UNI