The streets of Delhi are gearing up for a thrilling spectacle as the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, part of the World Athletics Gold Label Road Races, is set to take place on Sunday, October 20th. This year’s event promises to be a memorable one with the presence of two of the world’s best distance runners: Ugandan sensation Joshua Cheptegei and Kenyan star Peres Jepchirchir.
Joshua Cheptegei, the current world record holder for both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters, brings his incredible talent and experience to the race. He also holds the world’s best time over the 15-kilometer distance and boasts a string of accolades including an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters, three World Championships titles in the 10,000 meters, and gold medals in both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Cheptegei’s return to India, where he made his international debut in the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in 2014, is sure to be a highlight of the event. “This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event,” said Cheptegei.
Leading the women’s field is Peres Jepchirchir, the former Half-Marathon World record holder and a three-time world half-marathon winner. Jepchirchir made history by winning the London Marathon 2024 with a time of 2:16:16 secs, breaking the women’s only Marathon world record. She also holds victories in the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathons, making her one of the most dominant marathon runners in recent times.
The Indian contingent is also set to shine with strong contenders in both the men’s and women’s categories. In the women’s race, Asian Championship Bronze Medallist Sanjivani Jadhav, who recently claimed a silver medal at the 5000-meter event at the National Open Athletics Championships in Bangalore, is a strong contender for the title. Sanjivani, who won the 10,000-meter Portland Track Festival in the USA with a personal best of 32:22:77, has previously won gold at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in 2018 and 2022 and took silver in 2016 and 2020. She will face tough competition from defending champion Kavita Yadav. “This will be my third Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and my aim will be to win this race once again. I have been training hard and I will try my best to break and create as many records as I can,” said Sanjivani Jadhav.
The men’s category will see a battle between defending champion and talented youngster Abhishek Pal, who recently won the 10,000-meter title in the National Open Athletics Championships 2024 in Bangalore, and Asian Games 2023 silver medallist in the 10,000 meters, Kartik Kumar. Kartik, who recently triumphed at the 10,000-meter USA Championship Track Fest 2024 with a remarkable time of 28:07:66, is also the VDHM 2022 and 2023 editions silver medallist. “I am aiming to break the national record in what will be my fifth Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I have won the competition, but while I am once again, my mind is set on breaking the national record and going under 60 minutes,” said the defending champion Abhishek Pal.
With a star-studded field and a passionate Indian running community, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon promises to be an exciting event showcasing the best of distance running. The race is sure to be a thrilling spectacle, with athletes vying for both personal glory and national recognition.
