Registrations for the 11th $270,000 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon were declared open here on Tuesday with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal becoming the first person to register for the race to be held on November 29.
"The Delhi government is extremely pleased to be associated with the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. The fact that the event is in its 11th edition and receives participation from so many runners is a testimony to the popularity of the event," Kejriwal, also the patron of the event, said in a statement.
"One of the aims of our government is to encourage sports, health and fitness and an event like this brings ahead the sporting energy of the people of Delhi," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader added.
"I am the first person to register for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and I would urge people to come in great numbers."
Approximately 32,000 people are expected to take part in the run which will comprise corporate champions (21.097 km), great Delhi run (6 km), senior citizen's run (4 km) and the champions with disability event (4 km).
The entry fee for the main race and the great Delhi run will be Rs.1,400 and Rs.600, respectively.
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The registration process will close on October 30.
"Airtel Delhi Half Marathon has been pegged as the fastest course, the last edition saw nine athletes clock below 60 minutes. This set a new precedent in marathon history and we hope to break that record this year," said Procam International joint managing director Vivek B. Singh, the promoter of the event.
The route will cover eminent landmarks, including Parliament House, Rajpath, India Gate, Delhi Golf Club, Lodhi Road and Sansad Marg.
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu will continue to be the 'Face of the Event'.
"I urge you to once again dust off your running shoes and put your best foot forward for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon," said Bipasha, who was present at the launch press conference.