The Hindu Business Line : Kenyan runner steals the show at Mumbai marathon

DREAM RUN: Mr Anil Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Communications, participating in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2007 in Mumbai on Sunday. — Shashi Ashiwal

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Mumbai Jan. 21 In the Corporate Challenge holding tent at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, at roughly 8:30 on Sunday morning, the team from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) could be heard yelling and screaming as if they had just won a billion dollar contract.

All they had actually won, however, was one of the events' pre-race games. And there was no billion-dollar prize for the winner.

The joy with which the TCS team greeted their victory highlights the togetherness that participating in the Mumbai Marathon brings. TCS had 300 people running on Sunday and they made themselves heard once again at the finish line of the Dream Run, shouting T-C-S as they gathered behind company CEO, Mr S. Ramadorai.

"The togetherness, participating together," was Mr Ramadorai's response to being asked what he enjoyed most about the Mumbai Marathon. Mr Ramadorai added that TCS raised between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh for the Society for Rehabilitation of Crippled Children's hospital.

Meanwhile, Standard Chartered, the official sponsors of the Mumbai Marathon, had several hundred people come and participate in the race from across the country and beyond, according to spokesperson, Mr Abijit De.

"We had 20 plus guys from our international operations come and participate, including a former CEO Mr Christopher Lowe," Mr De said.

One of those participating for Standard Chartered was Mr Navneet Singh, Head, Strategy - India Region, Wholesale Bank. The 2007 edition was Mr Singh's fourth Mumbai Marathon.

"I think that it is a wonderful cause and it really represents the spirit of Mumbai," he said.

For the serious runners though, the Mumbai Marathon was still primarily about competing. Mr John Kelai from Kenya won the men's event in a time of 2:12.28, while Ms Yang Ziao Shu of China won the woman's marathon in a time of 2:36.17. Total prize money for the event was $2,30,000.