Keen contests in the offing in Sunday’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Lilian Rengeruk set for duel with defending champion Alemaddis Eyayu in the women’s race

 

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: Defending champion Alemaddis Eyayu will face multiple World cross-country medalist Lilian Rengeruk in the 20th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, at the Indian capital on Sunday (12th October).

Lilian, who had a successful outing in India last year with a memorable victory in the Bengaluru World 10K, is eyeing the women’s course record in Delhi. Having clocked 1:03:32 in Valencia last year and being in a strong form after winning the Prague half-marathon earlier this year, the Kenyan is ready to assault the course record of 1:04:46, which has stood in the name of Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw since 2020. A Kenyan woman won the Delhi crown last time in 2015 through Cynthia Limo.

Talking to the media today, the 28-year-old *Lilian said*, “Injuries remind you how much you love sport. I had to stop training for a week, and it made me realise how much I missed running. Now I focus on staying strong and consistent – I want to be at my best without crossing that line again”. Lilian recently joined Claudio Berardelli, the Italian coach, who is imparting training to Kenyan athletes with the 2028 Olympic Games in mind.

“Every season teaches you something new. This year, I’ve learned to be patient with my body and trust the process. I come to Delhi stronger, not just physically but mentally too — ready to run with heart,” said *Ethiopian Alemaddis Eyayu*, who is returning to defend her crown.

Started her 2025 campaign with a victory in Hong Kong, *Grace Loibach Nawowuna* shared her excitement about running here. “It feels amazing to be in Delhi for the first time for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I’ve worked hard all season, and I’m excited to see what this race brings. Every run teaches me something new, and if I can walk away with a personal best, it will be a big step forward in my journey,” revealed the young Kenyan, who missed the World Cross-country podium by just a whisker two years ago.

Birhanu is the top bet for the men’s crown:Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legase Gurmesa is a familiar face for Indian running fans. He won two earlier editions here, way back in 2015 and 2017, and is returning to India to compete for the tenth time. One of the strongest marathon runners in the World, Birhanu, won two back-to-back titles in the Tokyo Marathon during 2019-2020 and has a personal best of 2:02:48 from Berlin, a favourite destination for the fastest marathoners.

Sharing his love of running in India, the 31-year-old *Ethiopian voiced*, “India has always been special for me. Every time I race here, I feel happy — the people, the energy, the way we’re looked after. The warmth and respect we get here make it easy to run freely, and that’s why I always perform well in India.”

Leading the charge from Kenya will be Benard Biwott, fresh from his Paris Marathon victory earlier this year. He will be joined by his countryman Isaac Kipkemboi, who is poised to mount a strong challenge for a podium finish.

“My plan is simple — I’ll stay with the pack for the first half and then push hard in the second. That’s when the real race begins. The challenge is to hold your form when the legs start to tire, and that’s what I love most — testing myself when it hurts,” said *Biwott.*

With a total prize purse of USD 260,000, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon will witness some of the world’s finest athletes competing for top honours. Offering equal rewards for men and women, the champions in both categories will take home USD 27,000, while the second and third-place finishers will earn USD 20,000 and USD 13,000, respectively. Additionally, a bonus of USD 12,000 awaits any athlete who sets a new benchmark.

The Delhi Half Marathon was started in 2005, following the successful conduct of the World Half Marathon in the Indian capital the previous year. “It looks as if yesterday, but we already turned 20”, *Vivek Singh, the Joint Managing Director of Procam International*, referring to the 20th edition of the world’s most prestigious half-marathon in the country.

“We wish to thank all our sponsors, past and present, and the supporters who made this possible, as well as the athletes who were taking part here for raising their achievement graph constantly upwards, as always”, he further added, revealing his excitement to look forward to Sunday’s race.

*Elite Athletes:*

*MEN:*

1. Birhanu Legese ETH/1994 58:59

2. Isaac Kipkemboi KEN/2000 59:17

3. Alex Matata KEN/1997 59:20

4. Gerba Dibaba ETH/2000 59:35

5. Benard Biwott KEN/2002 59:44

6. James Kipkogei KEN/1993 59:50

7. Sikiyas Misganaw ETH/2000 59:53

8. Bereket Nega       ETH/2004     1:00:03

9. Inyasi Sulley TAN/1998 1:00:31

10. Bayelign Teshager ETH/2000 1:00.31

11. Abera Mamo ETH/2003 1:00:42

12. Birhan Nebebew   ETH/1994     1:00:51

13. Oqbe Kibrom Ruesom ERI/1998 1:01:01

14. Lelisa Fufa NIGASA    ETH/2003   1:01:12

15. Melesse Birhan ETH/1999 Debut

 

*WOMEN:*

1. ‎Lilian Kasait Rengeruk    KEN/1997    1:03:32

2. ‎Catherine Reline Amang’ole   KEN/2002     1:05:39

3. Grace Loibach Nawowuna   KEN/2003     1:06:31

4. Mulat Tekle  ETH/2004     1:06:53

5. Alemaddis Eyayu    ETH/1999     1:07:04

6. Enatnesh Alamrew Tirusew     ETH/1995     1:07:13

7. Susy Chemaimak     KEN/1989    1:07:19

8. Beriha Gebreslasie   ETH/2006     1:07:26

9. Monicah Wanjuhi    KEN/1993     1:07:29

10. Sewareg Haymanot   ETH/2006     1:07:45

11. Debash Desta       ETH/2005     1:08:10

12. Sentayehu Lewetegn       ETH/1996     1:08:41

13. Selamawit Shenbe   ETH/2005     1:09:24

14. Santoshi Shrestha  NEP/1993     1:16:44

15. Melal Siyoum Biratu      ETH/2006     Debut.