MUMBAI: The countdown to the 17th edition of Asia’s prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Road Race Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) has well and truly begun.
For the first time in Indian distance running history 55,322 runners will stand in unison at the start line of the event and serve as an inspiration to #BeBetter. Credited for many firsts and the pride of the country, TMM has not only put Mumbai, but also India on the global distance running map.
Running is the fastest growing urban sport in the country and the participation numbers at the 2020 edition of TMM is a testimony to this – 19% increase in total participation. 9,660 runners in the full marathon, 15,260 runners in half marathon, 19,707 runners in the Dream Run, 8,032 runners in 10K, 1,022 runners in Senior Citizen Run and 1,596 runners in Champion with Disability. Women participation has surged 35%, while the outstation participation and full marathon participation saw a growth of 22% and 15% respectively.
Incidentally, the Hong Kong Marathon holds the the world record for the largest ever participation in a full marathon event at 73,070. The milestone was achieved in January 2015. The categories in the Hong Kong Marathon 2015 were full marathon, half-marathon, 10 km, 10 km wheelchair race and 3 km wheelchair race.
And the second in the standings? Once this year’s race is done and dusted, it will be TMM 2020 that holds the honour. Hat tip to Anil and Vivek Singh. founder promoters of Procam International, which organises India’s premier running events, on a truly memorable milestone.
Another fun fact. For a race that has only the full marathon as a category for participation, pride of place goes to the TCS New York City Marathon, by a VERY long mile. The 2018 edition was witness to an incredible 53,121 full marathoners out on the roads in the Big Apple.
Harish Bhat, Brand Custodian, Tata Sons, said: “Tata Mumbai Marathon is one of the largest and most exciting sporting events worldwide, with the run finding pride of place on the running calendar of elite global marathoners. This run is a beautiful symphony of humanity that celebrates the spirit of unity in diversity, inspiring both young and old alike while shaping a healthy world. This platform has helped the Tata group to increase our engagement with the community, raise funds for charity as well as create societal awareness about the necessity of good health and fitness.
He further added: “It feels fantastic to experience the enthusiasm of the participants, consistently pushing the boundaries, and inspiring the human spirit. Looking at the response of the audience, we expect this year’s edition to be larger and better.”
CHAMPIONS AT THE START LINE: The $420,000 event will see in action defending champions Cosmas Lagat of Kenya and Worknesh Alemu of Ethiopia headline the international elite athletes’ line-up. Their winning timing of 2:09:15 and 2:25:45 is the second fastest timings in Mumbai Marathon history.
Leading the Indian elite men full marathon line-up is Army’s Srinu Bugatha, who won the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K 2019 editions, finishing the races in 1:04:33 and 1:18:31, respectively in last two months. Challenging him will be Rashpal Singh, Silver Medalist in Kathmandu South Asian Games 2019 along with Rahul Pal, winner of the Pune International Marathon 2019.
The Women’s full marathon line-up has Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, Sudha Singh, eyeing to add to her 3 TMM titles and firmly set on a hat-trick this year. Sudha won her first title in 2016 and after a year’s gap, she was champion in 2018 and 2019. Sudha will be challenged by Jyoti Gawte who won the Mumbai Marathon in 2017.
In the men’s half marathon category, Avinash Sable, 3,000 steeplechase national record holder, who shattered his own national record at World Championship at Doha in October & qualified for Tokyo 2020 Olympics will lead the field along with Shankar Man Thapa, who was the runner-up in 2019. Likewise, in the women’s half marathon, veteran athlete Swati Gadhave will face stiff opposition from 2019 runner-up & winner of 2018 edition, Monica Athare.
Vivek B Singh, joint managing director, Procam International, said: “More than 9,000 runners doing the full marathon and crossing the 50,000 mark for total number of participants – both are humbling milestones for us. To see India, embrace running is a dream come true for us. We are thankful to the government of Maharashtra, Mumbai police, MCGM, our sponsors and our runners who have given their rock-solid support in the incredible journey of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. We wish all the participants a successful and enjoyable race day!”
2020 HIGHLIGHTS
TIME PERFORMANCE BONUS FOR INDIAN ATHLETES: TMM has always been a springboard for Indian athletes and the platform has managed to get the best out of them. With the same aim, this year, a Time Performance Bonus has been introduced for the Indian Elites.
NEW BRANDS FOR 2020: The culture of road-running in India has grown tremendously. This has opened an avenue for new brands and innovative associations. This year, Procam takes pride to announce four such new beginnings. Franklin Templeton, one of India’s largest fund houses as Investment Partner; Bira 91, one of India’s fastest-growing craft beer brands, as the official Companion; HelpAge India, an NGO that extensively works for the cause and care of Silvers, as the event’s Institution Partner for Senior Citizens category and Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation, an NGO that works extensively towards inclusion via sports for persons with and without disability as its Inclusion Ally, to encourage Persons with Disability in the Open 10K category.
The Tata Mumbai Marathon is also proud to have continued support from Sports Goods Partner ASICS; Channel Partner Star Sports; Hydration Partner Bisleri; Recovery Partner Volini Maxx; Domains and Online Presence Partner GoDaddy; Timing Partner Seiko; Energy Drink Partner Fast&UP; Hospitality Partner Trident Hotels; Print Partner The Times of India; Driven by ALTROZ from Tata Motors; Music Entertainment Partner 98.3 Radio Mirchi; Medical Partner Asian Heart Institute; Philanthropy Partner United Way Mumbai; CWD Facilitator ADAPT and Performance Eyewear Partner Oakley.
MIRCHI GET ACTIVE EXPO: A one-stop destination for runners, the Expo will be organized at GTX Block Ground, Opp Citi Bank Bldg., Off Bharat Petrol Pump, Bandra (East), Bandra Kurla Complex from 15th to 18th January. The Expo will be on between 10.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. on 15th to 17th January 2020, and on 18th January 2020 between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. The Expo is also the venue for all confirmed participants from Mumbai and Outstation registered runners to come and collect their running bibs, study in detail race day instructions, familiarize themselves with all the timelines, approach plans, layout plans, security arrangements, traffic restrictions, road closures and other provisions that will come into force on Race Day.
