Marathon on Sea Link!

Just as the Tower Bridge highlights the London Marathon, Central Park forms the backdrop of the New York course and the historic Brandenburg Gate is associated with the Berlin race. Now, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is all set to become an inseparable feature of the annual Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

Government nod
State Public Works Department minister Vimal Mundada told MiD DAY yesterday that permission to include the sea link into next year's race course would definitely be considered as it would put the city on the global map.
"We have not received any proposal from the race organisers. But given that world-over marathons highlight the landmarks of their host cities, we will surely consider having the sea link as part of the Mumbai Marathon if and when the proposal is put across to us," the minister added.

Race promoters Procam International too believe it's only a matter of time before the authorities officially declare the sea link as part of the race. Vivek Singh, joint managing director, Procam International said: "The government of Maharashtra had expressed publicly its intentions of having the sea link as part of the marathon and rightly so, because such events are unique to the city they are run in and should showcase the city's best features."

New course plan
The new course will be planned with a view to balancing the city's landscape with the technicalities of a long-distance run. Race director and course measurer Hugh Jones explained: "There's something about running besides open water that's very appealing. We will look at the best possible way to integrate this new feature into the race route besides taking advantage of the outstanding views of the city skyline available from it."

In fact, the sea link could have a direct impact on the outcome of the race, if Olympian and Athletes Federation of India official Adille Sumariwalla, is to be believed.

"Since the general public or spectators will not be allowed on the sea link, the athletes will be by themselves throughout this 5.6km stretch.

"This will give them the opportunity to strategise and could well decide the race leader or even the winner," said Sumariwalla

Matter of pride
The athletes are kicked about the idea. Veteran marathoner and two-time (2006, 2007) winner Leelama Alphanso felt it will be a matter of pride to run on the sea link.

"For an athlete it's a dream come true a matter of national pride to run on such a landmark. I have retired from long-distance running but I might consider a return only to run on the sea link," she said.