Hotter conditions prompt Delhi Half Marathon organisers to move back race timings

NEW DELHI: Delhi has been experiencing slightly hotter conditions at this time of the year, with the day’s maximum temperature hovering around 35 degrees Celsius.
This has prompted the organisers of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon – scheduled on Oct 20 here – to push behind the timings of races in all five categories – half marathon amateur (21.097 km) at 5 am, half marathon elite (21.097 km) at 6:50 am, champions with disability and senior citizens’ run (2.5 km approx.) at 7 am, Open 10K (10 km) at 7:30 am and Great Delhi Run (4.5 km approx.) at 9 am.
According to organisers, the live telecast of the event – starting from 6:15 am onwards – also played a part in decision-making.
Talking to TOI, Hugh Jones, secretary general of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and VDHM race director, informed that the change in race timings due to weather conditions was done to benefit marathoners and encourage them to run a faster race.
“No doubt, it is hotter than we expected. We moved back the timings to provide the runners a nice experience. The half marathon for elite international and Indian runners usually started at 7:20 am on previous occasions. This time, we have adjusted the timings, and it will start at 6:50 am. Similarly, the half marathon for amateurs previously began at around 6 am. This time, it’s starting at 5 am. The Great Delhi Run saw a 9:30 am start. This year, it will be 9 am. So, the hotter weather conditions did play a part,” Jones said.
Jones, a retired British long-distance runner, spurred on the participants to break the course record. “There is always a tactical element involved in the race. It’s up to the participants how they personally approach the race. The opportunity is there to run faster, if people want to. The change in the start timing is quite helpful. We have pushed everything a little earlier. So, I hope the marathoners will look to break the course record.”
Former 5000m world champion Muktar Edris will return to lead a star-studded international line-up at the VDHM. He will be joined by two-time Olympic gold medallist Joshua Cheptegei, which increases expectations for a course record in the men’s race. The women’s field includes the Birmingham CWG champion in 10,000m, Eilish McColgan.
“The course record is up for grabs. But I don’t see the world record being broken given there has been significant advances in marathon running,” Jones said.
At the VDHM, the international event record stands in the name of Ethiopians Amdework Walelegn (58:53s, year 2020) in the men’s section and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (1:04.46s, year 2020) in the women’s category.