Get, set, go as Amdavad runs today

On Sunday, the time when Men-in-Blue will start battle to save blushes against their arch-rivals Pakistan in an inconsequential One Day match in Delhi, thousands of Amdavadis along with athletes across the world will have joined hands to be part of Sabarmati Marathon 2013 Amdavad.

Irrespective of the result of Delhi encounter, Ahmedabad will celebrate the first weekend of 2013. Statistics also favour the third edition of the Sabarmati Marathon, which started in 2010. Number of participants registered, both at the national and international level, has gone up.

As seen in the previous two editions, the route for the 42-km run has been changed this time too. If first edition 2010 passed through old city displaying heritage, the 2011 event took the SG Highway route. This year, developing area of Ahmedabad, SP Ring road will come into play. And so will the chilly winter, which may be blessing in disguise.

Ahmedabad is on the verge of getting into the big league. On completion of the event, it will get associated with Association of International Marathon Society (AIMS). This step will help the event to get global recognition.

Around 320 races in 95 countries are affiliated to AIMS.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi will flag off the 70-lakh prize money marathon at 6am.

The Sabarmati marathon has been dominated by Ethiopians. In 2010, both titles went to Ethiopians - Tesfaye Girma Bekele (men) and Biruktayit Esheta (women). The 2011 show saw Gadise Fita Megersa lifting the third trophy for Ethiopia. But Kenya’s Philomen Rotich spoiled Ethiopian party by walking away with men’s trophy.