Yesterday's announcement made by Athletics Federation of India president Adille Sumariwalla that the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon will be the pre-qualification event for the Beijing World Championships in August, has infused new confidence among the Indian elite athletes.

Indian elite athletes (left to right) Lalita Babar, Ratti Ram Saini, Karan Singh, OP Jaisha and Rashpal Singh at a press conference ahead of Sunday's Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. Pic/Bipin Kokate.