The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, which received rousing crowd support in February this year, is set to recreate the same atmosphere on January 16, 2005, albeit with a few changes.
When the second edition of the event is run, more people will be able to witness the race as the route has been extended to Bandra Reclamation, in south-west Mumbai, and back to the start at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
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"The marathon was met with success beyond expectation last year. It received more enthusiastic reception than any other city. And a longer route will mean that the number of people who will be able to enjoy and cheer from the sidelines will be greater," said race director Hugh Jones.
Unlike the last run, when there were two loops, the runners will have to run a single lap as the route has been extended.
"The single loop means that the participants only tackle the Kemps Corner-Peddar Road hill once in each direction and should allow for faster times," Jones added.
The marathon will also include a physically handicapped section this year, a provision the organizers had failed to make in the first year of the event. The physically handicapped will be provided a special enclosure.
The other significant change to the upcoming edition is the separate start times for the full marathon, half marathon and the 7-km Dream Run.
The half marathon will be flagged off 1 hour and 50 minutes after the full marathon.
Entry forms for registration will be available at 14, St James Court, Marine Drive, Mumbai, India - 400 020 from October 11. Registration can also be done online, through the official web site www.mumbaimarathon.indiatimes.com .
The entry fee for the full marathon is Rs.50 for Indian applicants and US $25 for international, while it is Rs.50 and US $20 for the half marathon. The entry fee for the Dream Run is Rs.100 and US $10 respectively.
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