Top amateur runners at Mumbai Marathon will get chance to fight for world title

Top amateur runners in each age group at the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2019 will qualify to participate in AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championship in 2020.

The Mumbai Marathon has been included in the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings, as a part of which runners above the age of 40 in different age categories will compete for ranks along with those from six other international marathons.

“It is interesting for us that Mumbai Marathon was invited to be a part of world ranking system, because we are the only Indian marathon to have been listed. What’s even more interesting is the fact that the runners above the age of 40 would be a part of the championship. As per our data, the median age of a full marathon runner is 40, which could be the reason for the criteria,” said Vivek Singh, joint MD, Procam International.

The qualifying period for the world championship would begin from September 16, 2018, which is when the BMW Berlin-Marathon is being held, and the last qualifying marathon would be held on September 29, 2019. Apart from TMM2019, New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon and Marathon de Bourdeaux Metropole, are among those that would act as qualifiers for the World Marathon.

“In the month of August, even Mumbai Marathon would feature in the list along with other top international marathons,” said Singh. When asked about the criteria for selection of Mumbai Marathon in the list, he said the committee would have parameters such as footfall and arrangements, among others.

In its 16th edition, Mumbai marathon will be held on January 20, 2019, with 46,000 running places open across six different categories, the registration for which will begin from July 29.

“The Tata Mumbai Marathon is an affirmative step towards achieving the goal of Swasth Bharat. It has created health and fitness consciousness among people. It is the single largest fundraising platform which is benefiting several NGOs of the country,” said Maharashtra governor Ch.Vidyasagar Rao, while officially launching the registrations of the marathon on Friday.