This story is from October 22, 2018

Delhi Half Marathon: Air better, 35k runners unmask happiness

Delhi Half Marathon: Air better, 35k runners unmask happiness
Prople participate at Airtel Delhi Half Marathon near Rajpath in New Delhi on Sunday morning
NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was abuzz with activity at the crack of dawn on Sunday as people turned up in droves to take part in Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2018. A nip in the air was hardly a deterrent for the 35,000-strong crowd. However, unlike last year, not many people were seen sporting pollution masks even as Delhi's AQI at 292 was in the 'poor' category.
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Many people carried placards about making Delhi pollution-free, but a few mentioned that compared to last year the pollution levels were low this time and it was easier to run.

The run started from the stadium covering areas like India Gate, Mathura Road, Rajpath, Rafi Marg, Janpath, Zakir Hussain Marg and Lodhi Road. The amateur 10k run was flagged off at 5am, which saw over 12,000 participants. The 21km run was flagged off at 7.10am for the elite men's category and at 7.20am for elite women's category.
LG Anil Baijal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, MP Manoj Tiwari, Bharti Airtel CEO Ravindra Singh Negi, former cricketer Jonty Rhodes, athlete Sanya Richard Ross and Adille Sumariwalla, who represented India in athletics in 1980 Moscow Olympics, were guests at the event.
Tsehay Gemechu smashed the record in elite women's category by four seconds clocking 1:06.49. Andamalak Belihu won in the elite men's category clocking 59.18. It was a first-time victory for both the runners.

Abhishek Pal exhibited a classic case of David beats Goliath in the Indian elite men's category. Avinash Sable, who came third in 2017, stood second (1:04.14) followed by experienced pro and Asian marathon champion Gopi T (1:04.15). In the Indian elite women's category, Sanjivani Jadhav (1:13.58) came first, followed by Parul Chaudhary (1:14.00) and Monika Athare (1:16.55).
It was the third half marathon for Shweta Singh, a professor at Sonepat's Ashoka University. She was pleased that the race was conducted a month early as the air quality had not yet deteriorated. She started to run eight years ago for health reasons and has been travelling in India and abroad to participate in marathons.
IT professional Amod Bhate came down all the way from Pune to run in "one of the best organised races." He said his love for running has made him go across India to participate in multiple races.
"It would be better if the marathon is kept during this period when it is not that cold and the air is not bad," he added.
This sentiment was seconded by ex-Navy officer Parag Sehgal. A veteran runner of 32 years, it was the ninth race for this MNC employee. He said that every year before the race he ramps up the distance covered by him daily and increases his intake of protein. "I am not motivating my children to run with me next year," he said.
It was a great inspiration to see 1,140 senior citizens and 488 people with disabilities at the event. The Great Delhi Run, the final race of the day, drew 16,000 people.
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