Mumbai: Women marathon runners are set to create a new course best in Sunday's Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, according to elite athlete co-ordinator Ian Ladbrooke.
"We have a strong field and I am very optimistic of a new record in the women's race by a big margin," said Ladbrooke ahead of the USD 310,000 prize money event in which the top prize is worth USD 30,000.
According to Ladbrooke, the IAAF Gold Label has attracted a very fast field and a sub 2-30 finishing time for the women is being targeted.
"There is last year's winner (Ethiopian) Haile Kebebush. There are newcomers to Mumbai, Firehiwot Dado (from Ethiopia with a personal best of 2:27:08 at Rome) and Natalya Volgina (from Russia with personal best of 2:27:32 in Paris)," he pointed out.
Volgina has participated and won the Pune half marathon seven years ago but said today it's difficult for her to adjust from a minus 20 degree celsius temperature at home to Mumbai's comparatively hot and humid weather.
Besides Kebebush and Mulu Seboka (2:29:06), there are eleven other Ethiopians in the women's field.
The Kenyan challenge will be spearheaded by Alice Chelangat, with Irene Jerotich and Rose Kosgei the other notable names.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 20:28