Suresh Kumar and Preeja Sreedharan emerged winners among the Indian men and women athletes taking part in the annual Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here Sunday.
Suresh completed the 21-km race in an hour and 4.38 minutes while second placed Nitender Singh Rawat and third placed Kheta Ram were slower by 16 and 18 seconds, respectively.
Suresh moved ahead of the leading group at the 17-km mark and further widened the gap for a comprehensive finish.
"It was a very tough field. Me, Kheta Ram and Nitender all stayed together till 16 km. After that, I broke from the group and got a 20-metre lead initially," said Suresh, who pocketed Rs.2.5 lakh for the win.
"Later, I managed to extend the gap and slowed down after being convinced that I am going to win at the 19-km mark. I found the finishing comfortable."
Among the women, Preeja retained her title with a timing of an hour and 19.03 minutes as Monika Athare and Sudha Singh took second and third positions, respectively. Preeja also went home with Rs.2.5 lakh prize money.
Monika finished the race in an hour and 19.12 minutes, which was nine seconds faster than Olympian Sudha's effort. Monika, 22, surprised her competitors to finish ahead of Sudha and Kavita Raut, who came fourth in an hour and 19.56 minutes.