New Delhi, Sep 12 (NationPress) The defending champion Alemaddis Eyayu is set to lead the pack at the 20th edition of the Delhi Half Marathon, a prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, on October 12, alongside her Ethiopian compatriot Jemal Mekonen.

Mekonen, who played a pivotal role in Ethiopia's triumph at the 2017 World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, will headline the men's elite field at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. As he makes his debut in India, the soon-to-be 29-year-old boasts a wealth of international experience, including several sub-60-minute finishes and a personal best time of 58:33.

A two-time fourth-place finisher at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2018 and 2023, Jemal Mekonen is also the 2018 African 10,000 m champion and the current winner of the Seoul Marathon 2024.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming race, Mekonen remarked, "This is my first trip to India. I've heard fantastic things about the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and fellow runners often describe it as fast and fabulous."

In the men's category, Benard Biwott from Kenya will be a standout competitor, coming off his victory at the Paris Marathon earlier this year. He will be joined by Ronald Kwemoi, the Paris Olympic 5000m silver medallist making his half-marathon debut in Delhi, and Isaac Kipkemboi, who is ready to mount a strong challenge for a podium finish.

Another notable name from Ethiopia is Birhanu Legese, with an impressive marathon personal best of 2:02:48 and the holder of back-to-back Tokyo Marathon titles in 2019 and 2020. Having previously achieved podium finishes in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi, he is a familiar face to Indian fans. Also strengthening Ethiopia’s lineup are Bayelign Teshager and Melesse Birhan, both eager to leave their mark in Delhi.

The elite men’s field features as many as eight sub-60-minute runners, ensuring a thrilling competition at this milestone edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.

In the women's category, Alemaddis Eyayu will encounter fierce competition from Lilian Rengeruk of Kenya, a multiple world cross-country medallist who finished fifth in the 10,000m at the Paris Olympic Games. Rengeruk is among the leading female athletes, with personal bests that surpass the course record of 1:04:46.

“I’m thrilled to return to Delhi for the 20th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2025. It won’t be an easy race, but I’m eager to challenge myself and defend my title,” said Alemaddis Eyayu.

Former half-marathon world record holder and Gold Label athlete Ababel Yeshanesh, the second-fastest in the women's field with a personal best of 64:31, is also a key contender, alongside Catherine Amangole, the 2023 World Half Marathon bronze medallist.

With a total prize purse of USD 260,000, the Delhi Half Marathon will showcase some of the world's top athletes competing for prestigious accolades. Equal rewards for both men and women will see champions in each category take home USD 27,000, while second and third place finishers will receive USD 20,000 and USD 13,000, respectively. Additionally, an event record bonus of USD 12,000 is available for any athlete who sets a new benchmark.

"It feels like just yesterday, but we’ve already celebrated 20 years," said Vivek Singh, the joint managing director of Procam International, reflecting on the significance of this milestone edition of the country's premier half-marathon event.

"We extend our gratitude to all our sponsors, both past and present, and to the supporters who have made this possible, as well as the athletes for consistently pushing their performance levels higher," he concluded.