Rashpal Singh and Jyoti Gawte won the 4th edition of the IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon by crossing the finishing line in 02:21:55sec and 02:47:54sec respectively. Over 18,000 runners participated in the four different race categories and were also a part of the #KeepMoving Push-Up Challenge. The races were flagged off from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by Sachin Tendulkar, Brand Ambassador, IDBI Federal Life Insurance .

Winner of the Full Marathon in the men’s category, Rashpal Singh who trains at Army Sports Institute, Pune said “The weather was cool and I am happy with my performance. My target was to complete the race in 2:19 min but I am happy with this performance also.”

Sharing his experience, Singh said “We all three were running together till 25k and after that I took the lead and finished the race first. It was a challenge for me as we all have trained together and we knew it was going to be a tough competition.”

Sher Singh, who was the first runner-up said “Rashpal Singh is senior to us and his experience helped him to win the race. I have started preparing for the marathon from the last two years and in the future also will continue to practice hard and will try to give my best. I finished the race in 02:23:16 sec and I am happy with my performance today.”

All the three male category marathon winners are from Army Sports Institute, Pune. Manavendra Singh who was the 2nd runner up completed the race in 02:28:27sec at the IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon 2019.

In the women’s category, Jyoti Gawte from Maharashtra won the Full Marathon and completed the race in 02:47:54sec. Sharing her feelings on winning, Gawte said “I am a regular runner and have participated in 15 – 16 marathons till date. Last year I was the runner-up and today I completed the run in 2:47:54 sec, winning the title this time. It is the happiest moment for me.”

Jigmet Dolma from Leh Ladakh stood second by completing the race in 03:01:30 sec. “I have participated in a few marathons till now and I am glad to be the first runner-up in this marathon. The weather was chilly and the atmosphere of the runners was awesome which gave me motivation to finish the race. This marathon had a bigger strength of people than the previous marathon which I participated in.” Tsetan Dolkar finished the race in 03:01:32 sec and missed the second position by just two seconds.

This year, the #KeepMoving Push-up Challenge was held in order to make a difference to the families of the Martyrs. Prior to each of the races, Sachin Tendulkar, along with the marathon participants did 10 push-ups as a part of the challenge. IDBI Federal donated Rs 100 on behalf on each participant and raised a total of Rs 15 lakhs towards the fund for the Martyrs.

Sachin Tendulkar, Brand Ambassador, IDBI Federal Life Insurance said, “I am especially delighted to see so many children participating. It is a very big step in life to participate in a marathon and not to be intimidated by seeing so many adults around. You are the next generation who will take over the reins of our nation. Our dream is to transform India from a sports loving nation into a sports playing nation for a healthy and active lifestyle. And if children are starting from here, things are going to get better and better. So well done Delhi, keep up your energy to run in the marathon. It is fantastic that you all are here with so much enthusiasm and energy.”

“Whatever funds that we will receive from here will all be donated for a good cause. It will be donated to the families of the Martyrs. So I hope everyone will join us in this movement. For the same we will do 10 push-ups as a part of the #KeepMoving Push-up Challenge,” Sachin added.

In the half marathon, Robin Singh won by completing the race in 01:09:01 sec followed by Dipak Suhaug who secured 2nd position by finishing the race in 01:11:07sec. Deepak Singh who stood 3rd last year, came third this year also by completing the run in 01:12:51 sec.

In the women’s category, Jyoti Singh crossed the finishing line at 01:22:20 sec. Ujala secured the 2nd positon with a time of 01:24:25 sec, followed by Prabhawati Rawat who finished the race in 01:34:26 sec.

Results:

(Full Marathon winner in Men’s category): Rashpal Singh 2:21:55; Sher Singh 2:23:16; Manavendra Singh 2:28:27

(Full Marathon winner in women’s category): Jyoti Gawte 2:47:54; Jigmet Dolma 3:01:30; Tsetan Dolkar 3:01:32

(Half Marathon winner in Men’s category): Robin Singh 1:09:01; Dipak Suhaug 1:11:07; Deepak Singh 1:12:51

(Half Marathon winner in Women’s category): Jyoti Singh 1:22:20; Ujala 1:24:25; Prabhawati Rawat 1:34:26