Rawat, Gopi T. to lead Indian field at ADHM

After a tight contest at the Tata Mumbai Marathon earlier this year, the two are set to renew their rivalry in Delhi.

Rawat delivered the best performance by an Indian at the ADHF last year.

Nitendra Singh Rawat and Gopi T., Indian participants at the Rio Olympics in 2016, will headline the Indian racing contingent at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.

Rawat delivered the best performance by an Indian at the corresponding event last year, finishing 10th. This time, he will have a challenger in Gopi to contend with; the two had a stiff contest at the Tata Mumbai Marathon earlier this year. Gopi claimed first place, Rawat second.

Avinash Sable, the 3,000m steeplechase national record holder, will also participate. Sable finished 12th at the ADHM last year, the third best among Indians.

Among Indian women, Sanjivani Jadhav and Monica Athare will lead the field. Jadhav, a middle-distance runner, clinched the top spot at the Tata Mumbai Half Marathon, while Athare trailed her at second place.

Athare has good memories of the ADHM; she finished at the top among Indian women at the event in 2016.

The field among foreigners was announced last week; Kenya’s Eric Kiptanui and Caroline Kipkirui, among others, will headline the event.

Jonty Rhodes, the former South African cricketer, will be present at the event as a ‘PUMA athlete’ to motivate participants, the organisers declared.