Melelse, Leila favourites for Mumbai Marathon

Mumbai, Jan 18 (UNI) Ethiopian athletes Gashaw Melese and Leila Amman start firm favourites for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon in the men's and women's category respectively, Elite Athlete co-ordinator Ian Ladbrooke announced at a press conference here today.

Also present were the athletes, Melese and Leila, who are no strangers to the city and the Mumbai Marathon. ''They are in top shape as they have their focus on the Marathon. They have trained for three months for the marathon,'' Ladbrooke said.

Melese won the Paris Marathon last year with a personal best of 2:08:03 secs. He has clocked sub 2 hrs 10 minute times consistently over the last three years. While on the other hand, Leila has also performed well over the last few years. The fact that she was placed third last year will make her hungry for more.

While introducing the two athletes to the media, Ladbrooke also threw some light on a few other names and what one could expect from them on Sunday.

''In the men's field we have at least 10 athletes who have clocked sub 2 hrs 10 minute times. Along with the runners from the Greatest Race on Earth (GROE), we should have a strong field with the winner being difficult to pick,'' Ladbrooke added.

Like Race Director Hugh Jones, Ladbrooke highlighted the importance of weather. ''If the weather holds up well we should have quick times. Both fields are strong and we should have two close races.'' he said.

UNI