Mumbai Marathon: Bugatha and Man Singh Rely on High-Altitude Training for Victory

Synopsis

Defending Indian elite men’s champion Srinu Bugatha and his Army teammate Man Singh are optimistic that their high-altitude training in Ooty will provide them a competitive advantage in the prestigious 20th edition of the Mumbai Marathon this Sunday.

Key Takeaways

Srinu Bugatha aims to break the course record in the Mumbai Marathon.
Man Singh is targeting a personal best of 2.14.
Top finishers will receive significant cash prizes.
An incentive is offered for setting new course records.
Inspiration from Sir Mo Farah motivates the runners.

Mumbai, Jan 17 (NationPress) Defending champion of the Indian elite men’s category, Srinu Bugatha, along with his fellow Army teammate Man Singh, is optimistic that their rigorous high-altitude training in Ooty will provide them a competitive advantage in the prestigious 20th edition of the Mumbai Marathon, scheduled for Sunday.

“I aim to shatter the course record. My training in Ooty has been intense. This marks my fifth participation in the Tata Mumbai Marathon, recognized as India’s premier marathon. It's a fantastic opportunity for us Indian athletes to compete alongside the elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. Familiarity with the course layout also aids our preparation,” Bugatha shared.

Asian marathon champion Man Singh is equally focused on clinching the top spot. “My goal is to break the course record this Sunday. If the weather is favorable, all of us Indian runners could achieve remarkable timings this year. My training in Ooty has been diligent, and I aim for a personal best of 2.14,” he expressed.

The competitive Indian elite lineup features Olympian Gopi T., promising talent Kalidas Hirave, and 2023 Asian Games 10,000m silver medallist Kartik Kumar in the men's category, while Thakor Nirmaben and Shymali Singh are among the leading women competitors. The top three finishers in both the Indian elite men’s and women’s divisions will earn prize money of INR 5 lakh, INR 4 lakh, and INR 3 lakh, respectively, from a total prize fund of USD 389,524.

An additional incentive of INR 2 lakh is available for anyone who sets a new TMM record, which is currently held by NS Rawat (men, 2:15:48, 2016) and Sudha Singh (women, 2:34:56, 2019). The seasoned Gopi, a two-time winner and three-time runner-up among Indian participants at this World Athletics Gold Label event, is looking forward to the challenge.

“I’ve come from my training in Bengaluru. This is my sixth time participating in the Tata Mumbai Marathon. I have my sights set on qualifying for the World Championships this year. The TMM is our first major event of the year, and we are all aiming for the course record. I have maintained a weekly mileage of 190-200km, so I’m confident for Sunday,” said Gopi, who also serves in the Army. He recently won the 2024 New Delhi Marathon in 2:14.40, edging out Bugatha by just one second.

Nirmaben is the reigning Indian elite women’s champion. “My training has been solid. I am targeting a time of 2.39 for the race on Sunday. I just returned from Kolkata, where I unfortunately placed fourth due to my own error. I’m eager to improve my time here,” she stated.

Shymali, who secured third place among Indian elite women last year, seeks motivation from her encounter with legendary athlete Sir Mo Farah, the International Event Ambassador. “Meeting Sir Mo Farah was incredibly inspiring; he taught me the importance of perseverance. His buoyant spirit was uplifting and truly motivating ahead of this significant race,” she concluded.