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Sunday 16 January 2005 Mumbai, India - Julius Sugut of Kenya who had finished runner-up last year went one better and took the men’s title, as marathon runners from 25 nations lived up to the “Spirit of Mumbai” slogan in the 2nd Standard Chartered Mumbai International Marathon here this morning (Sun 16).

Mulu Seboka of Ethiopia took the top spot in the women’s division of the Marathon race, while Kenyan Tegla Loroupe won the Half Marathon. Indian men swept the first three places in the men’s half distance.

Men – Sugut breaks field after 30km

Kenyan pace-setters Michael Kemboi, Erik Kiplagat and Simon Tanui were the front runners at the beginning of the race from the historic Victoria Terminus (now renamed as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus). Tanui ran the first half very well with lead times of 45:16 for 14.1 km at Queen’s Neclace in Marine Drive, and 74:04 for 23.3 km turning point at Bandra Reclamation. Tanzanian Christopher Isegwe was caught up with the leader at this point.

The race matched the increasing tempretaures turning hot as it reached the 25km point. Here the Ethiopian Gashaw Malese put in a kick but it was not enough and five kilometres (30 km) later Julius Sugut overtook him. Sugut, runner-up at last year’s race at Mumbai, was timed at 1:42:13 at 32.5km mark had made the decisive move of the race to which no one could respond.

Second fastest time on indian soil

Sugut arrived at the finish line at the historic Azad Maidan in 2:13:20 to receive USD 30,000 in prize money. Isegwe (2:13:29) and Malese (2:13:59) finished behind Sugut in that order to gain USD 20,000 and USD 12,500 for their efforts. Incidentally Sugut’s time is the second fastest mark set on a certified course anywhere on Indian soil.

Balaram of India finished 28th overall was also awarded a special prize as top Indian finisher.

Last year’s winner here, Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, who went on to win the New York Marathon later in 2004, did not compete at Mumbai this time.

Women – Seboka falters and then recovers to win in PB

In the women’s race Kenyan Pauline Wangui was the early leader. Ethiopian Leila Aman, who placed 5th in last year’s real,- BERLIN-MARATHON, went past Wangui at the turning point ...