123Pune.com

PUNE: More than 100 athletes from all over the world will vie for top honours in the 23rd Pune International Marathon to be held on December 7.

However, it is the rivalry between Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSCB) that will be the highlight of the Rs 25 lakh event.

The Pune edition of the marathon assumes importance as it has been billed as the national marathon by the Athletic Federation of India (AFI).

Fresh from their fourth-place finish in the World Military Games in Italy where their challenge was spearheaded by Corporal GC Tiwari, Naik Narender Singh, rifleman Narender and havaldar Dattatrayta Jayabhay, Services have a clear edge over the Railways.
Jayabhay, who emerged the winner among Indians in last year's event, is expected to face challenge from teammate Deep Chand, the winner of the Allahabad marathon.

The Railways will be pinning their hopes on Bhairosing Lone, Abdul Barek, Robinson Vein, Ravidra Nalawade, Yellappa Bhog, Yogesh Surve and Sampat Mudrak.

Apart from the Services and Railway athletes, there will also be challenge from Ajit Singh of Karnataka, Satish Kumar and Arun Kumar of Andhra Pradesh.

The first three Indian finishers will be awarded Rs 75,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively while the top three Indian finishers in the women's half marathon will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000.

The winner of the men's race will get Rs 3,00,000 with the second and third placed finishers getting Rs 1,50,000 and Rs 1,00,000, respectively.

The top three finishers in women's half-marathon will be given Rs 1,50,000, Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 75,000.
http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/More_than_100_foreign_athletes...