Rio Games marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya will participate in the first race since his memorable triumph at the Olympics when he runs at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on November 20.
Kipchoge, who turns 32 on November 5, has won seven successive marathons and is unbeaten over the classic distance in the last three years.
However, the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon will be his first outing over a shorter distance since he finished sixth at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in UAE in February 2015.
"It's six years down the line since the Commonwealth Games were held in Delhi, where I got the silver medal in 5000m. I have great memories of my last visit to India and now I am ready to come back in a different capacity as a road racer," said Kipchoge.
"India is one of the world's biggest hubs of technology and business but I am looking forward to visiting the country and once again experiencing competitive sport in India," he added.
Kipchoge's half marathon personal best is 59:25. He will now have in his sight on the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon course record of 59:06 that was set by Ethiopia's Guye Adola in 2014, which makes the race one of the fastest half marathons in the world.
Kipchoge and the rest of the elite runners will be chasing men's and women's top prizes of USD 27,000, with a total prize fund of USD 270,000.
"We are excited and privileged that the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon will host the Rio Olympic gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge as part of the elite field for the 12th edition of the event," said Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International, Promoters of the Event.
Airtel Delhi Half Marathon has established itself as India's leading road race over the half marathon distance since it was inaugurated in 2005 and it is renowned among the world's top distance runners for its fast course, which has seen seven of the last eight men's races being won under 60 minutes.
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