1st Nov. 2009, Delhi, India
Ethiopian Deriba Merga, in men’s section has won the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon while Kenya’s Mary Keitany has won the women’s group. The Half Marathon began with nearly 30,000 contestants. The open section of the main event was a half-marathon of 21.097 kms. The other three categories were the Great Delhi Run of 7 km, wheelchair Event of 3.5 km and senior citizen’s run of 4.3 km. While more than 9,000 contestants took part in half marathon, the Great Delhi Run event drew the max. number of competitors including both professional as well as people from daily life. The event in this 5th edition has grown in popularity and size, which is now offering gigantic prize money of $210,000. The world’s wealthiest half-marathon saw male and female winner both to get a reward of $25,000 each. The top ten finishers also got some attractive cash rewards. The Indian winners got $4,000 each, while the top ten finishers won separate purses.
Famous celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Bose were present at this Airtel Delhi Half-Marathon. International stars at the marathon included like Ethiopians Deriba Merga, Aselefech Mergia, Deriba Alemu, Wilson Kipsang, Mary Keitany, who is the world half-marathon champion, of Kenya.