Mumbai runner and doctor Kartik Keshavkara stole the show at the 11th New Delhi Marathon, powering through 42.2km in a stellar 2:13:10 to win gold and qualify for the Asian Games. The mark easily beat the 2:15:04 threshold for the upcoming Japan event.
A razor-thin margin separated the top three men: Keshavkara from Gopi Thonakal (2:13:12) and Man Singh (2:13:15), all securing berths and signaling India’s marathon strength.
In women’s full distance, Thakor Nirmaben’s 2:41:15 performance outpaced Bhagirathi (2:43:28) and Ashwini Jadhav (2:56:59), earning applause for perseverance.
Half-marathon excitement peaked with Kuldeep Kumar’s 1:08:51 men’s victory and Janet Shikur Rashid’s 1:19:36 in women, backed by Ravi Bumbak, Mohammad Sahil Anigere, Ekta, and Preeti Lamwa.
The AFI-certified national event hosted 30,000 athletes from 31 countries across 490 cities. Vijender Singh and Rohan Bopanna flagged it off and celebrated victors with trophies.
Results at a glance:
Men Full: Kartik Jayraj Keshavkara (02:13:10), Gopi Thonakal (02:13:12), Man Singh (02:13:15)
Women Full: Thakor Nirmaben Bharatji (02:41:15), Bhagirathi (02:43:28), Ashwini Madan Jadhav (02:56:59)
Men Half: Kuldeep Kumar (01:08:51), Ravi Bumbak (01:09:33), Mohammad Sahil Anigere (01:09:41)
Women Half: Janet Shikur Rashid (01:19:36), Ekta (01:19:39), Preeti Lamwa (01:19:59)
Men 10K: Manav Sharma (0:30:40), Prakash Rai (0:30:44), Vishal Singh (0:34:45)
Women 10K: Anjali (0:37:05), Neha (0:41:50), Anupriti Mishra (0:41:48)
The marathon’s success boosts optimism for Indian runners on the world stage.