Delhi Half Marathon 2023: Abhishek Pal, Kavita Yadav win Indian Elite men's and women's titles

Daniel Ebenyo and Almaz Ayana won the international titles.

Kenya's Daniel Ebenyo and Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana lived up to their billings by taking the top honours in the 18th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in the capital city on Sunday.

Ayana, the 2016 Rio Olympics Champion, and previous Delhi Half Marathon winner came close to her 2017 winning time in the women's race. Running with fellow Ethiopians Aberash Minsewo and Dessie Anchinalu, along with Kenyan Viola Chepngeno and Uganda’s Stella Chesang, they covered the first quarter of the race in 15:45-15:47, while another Kenyan, Vivian Cheruiyot, was slightly behind.

Although Ayana maintained her 16-minute pace for each of the five-kilometer intervals, she slowed down in the final phases of the race. She secured the top spot in 67:58, with Uganda’s Stella Chesang finishing second 28 seconds later, and Viola Chepngeno from Kenya completing the podium in 69:09.

“I am happy about winning here. It was not an easy race, and the weather was a bit hot. However, it was great to run at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to the event, and this race has helped me prepare for future events,” said Almaz.

In the men's race, a group of about eight Kenyan runners and Ethiopian Addisu Gobena led the race. The group stayed together until the 13th kilometer when Ebenyo and his teammate Charles Matata started breaking away from the rest. Charles, the runner-up in this year’s Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in Madrid, pushed Ebenyo for another five kilometers.

However, Ebenyo, the Silver Medalist in the World Half Marathon earlier this year, increased his pace and finished first in 59 minutes 27 seconds. Charles Matata took 60:05 for the second place, and Addisu Gobena claimed the third position 46 seconds later, as his countrymate and reigning champion Chala Regasa left the race midway.

“It was amazing to run here. However, I am disappointed with my timing. I was aiming for the event record but fell short. But, nevertheless, it was a fantastic experience to run in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Hopefully, I will be able to break the event record next year. I would like to congratulate the organizers of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for hosting a brilliant event,” said Ebenyo.

Indian Elite Race

Abhishek Pal reclaimed the Indian Elite Men’s title at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2023 after competing neck and neck with Asian Games 2022 Silver Medallist Kartik Kumar. Pal recorded a timing of 64:07, while Kartik missed the top prize by a fraction of a second and finished with 64:08. Meanwhile, Sawan Barwal finished third with a timing of 64:17.

Abhishek Pal was the 2018 winner with 64:13 and he bettered his timing in this edition. Speaking about his victory, Abhishek Pal said, "Kartik and I have had a lot of close contests, and today we had another one. It's great to clinch first place in the Indian Elite Men's race once again. Kartik and I train together, and I am really happy about his achievement at the Asian Games. We'll definitely have another photo finish at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon next year."

Meanwhile, Kartik Kumar expressed, "I thought for a moment during the race that I might not win a Medal today, but fortunately, I won a Silver, and I am very happy about it. I trained hard for the last few days, and I wanted to do justice to my training."

Kavita Yadav clinched the first position in the Indian Elite Women’s Race on her Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon debut with a timing of 77:42, while Rima Patel (77:48) and Poonam Dinkar Sonune (77:49) finished second and third respectively.

Yadav expressed her excitement after clinching Gold in the Indian Elite Women’s Race, "I am thrilled to win the Indian Elite Women's race at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on my debut. The race got very close towards the end, and I had to push hard in the last 400m to ensure that I finished first. It was a great experience to run in Delhi, and I will certainly come back to defend my title."

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and IMB graced his presence at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2023. Speaking about the event, he said, "I am delighted to see the response for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.

The participation of 36000 runners showed the enthusiasm with which the country has embraced the FIT India Movement envisioned by Honourable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi ji and it has become a people's movement. The atmosphere in the stadium was the most vibrant that I have seen, and it is evident that citizens are embracing fitness and good health as a way of life."

Results

International Men

1. Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) - 59:27
2. Chales Matata (KEN) - 60:05
3. Addisu Gobena (ETH) - 60:51
4. Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN) - 60:52
5. Isaia Lasoi (KEN) - 60:55
6. Leonard Barsoton (KEN) - 61:36
7. Roncer Konga (KEN) - 62:05
8. Vincent Kimaiyo (KEN) - 63:18
9. Gideon Kiprotich Rop (KEN) - 63:51
10. Abhishek Pal (IND) - 64:07

International Women

1. Almaz Ayana (ETH) - 67:58
2. Stella Chesang (UGA) - 68:28
3. Viola Chepngeno (KEN) - 69:09
4. Aberash Minsewo (ETH) - 69:50
5. Vivian Cheriyot (KEN) - 71:26
6. Anchinalu Dessie (ETH) - 71:34
7. Bertukan Welde (ETH) - 72:00
8. Mare Dibaba (ETH) - 72:02
9. Betelihen Afenigus (ETH) - 72:25
10. Nurit Ahmed (ETH) - 77:26

Indian Men

1. Abhishek Pal - 64:07
2. Kartik Kumar - 64:08
3. Sawan Barwal - 64:17
4. Murli Gavit - 64:41
5. Harjodhvir Singh - 65:03
6. Sunil Kumar - 65:03
7. Dharmendra Null - 65:18
8. Kiran Matre - 65:32
9. Lovepreet Singh - 65:38
10. Srinu Bugatha - 66:24

Indian Women

1. Kavita Yadav - 77:42
2. Rima Patel - 77:48
3. Poonam Dinkar Sonune - 77:49
4. Sanjivani Jadhav - 77:53
5. Tamshi Singh - 78:01
6. Sonika Rajput - 79:16
7. Ujala Null - 80:47
8. Ekta Rawat - 81:30
9. Nirma Thakur - 83:19
10. Reshma Kevate - 83:41

Police Cup Results  

Women’s Race:   

1 - Neelam Lodhiyal, Surachita Deb, Madhu (Women's Team 11) - 06:12:39.56  

2 - Reena, Saroj Singh, Shamma Barkodia (Women's Team 4) - 06:15:19.06  

3 - Kalpana, Rajnandani, Tsering Dolkar (Women's Team 1) - 06:23:37.12  

Men’s Race: 

1 - Sanjay Panshal, Subhash Singh, Digamber Bondre (Men's Team 14) - 04:43:28.11  

2 - Satish Kumar, Bijender Kadyan, Ashok Kumar (Men's Team 76) - 05:02:46.58  3 - Ajeet Yadav, Mukesh, Satender Rathi (Men's Team 49) - 05:41:41.69