On the eve of the Mumbai Marathon, pasta party was an event to remember, at least for favourite Daniel Kiprugut Too of Kenya.
Too many cooks spoil the broth. But that was not the case at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon pasta party on the rooftop of Hotel Trident on Saturday.
It was different to see the who’s who of the marquee race sporting their kitchen aprons to prepare the Italian recipe.
Brand Ambassador Dan O’Brien, head honcho of Standard Chartered Bank Jaspal Bindra, Procam International owner Vivek Singh, actor Rahul Bose and director of the Museum of Marathon Maria Polyzou tossed and turned the saucepan like pro chefs. It could not be confirmed if anyone ate the finished product, though O’Brien had warned one and all.
While the entire venue was in a celebratory mood, Daniel Kiprugut Too was enjoying his choice of pasta quietly, alone, on one table. Too is one of the favourites to clinch the winner’s purse of $35,000. With a personal best of 2:08:38s in the Paris Marathon last year, the 31-year-old will definitely be eyeing the top spot here too.
Though, the Kenyan athlete doesn’t want to read too much into being tagged as the favourite. “I am focused to run a good race and nothing else, for now I am enjoying my pasta, they give a lot of energy,” said Too. His closest competitor David Tarus, last year’s runner-up, is also not in the reckoning since he is going to play the role of pacemaker.
Even Tarus confessed that Too is the man to beat. “I would have loved to take that one step after missing out last year, but now that I am not racing, I think Too is the overwhelming favourite,” explained Tarus. This is Too’s first visit to Mumbai and the Kenyan is enjoying it. “I like the hot climate, I enjoy training here,” said Too.
With just six races under his belt in his 4 years of marathon career, Too’s high-altitude training back home helps him to be what he is. “I run up and down the hills almost everyday, one hour each in the morning and afternoon,” explained Too.
In Mumbai for over a week now, Too spent over four months preparing for the ‘Gold Label Race’ in the city. “My Ethiopian brothers would be the ones to watch out for,” said Too. His affection for his neighbouring country isn’t surprising since his sporting hero, Haile Gebrselassie comes from the same country.
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