Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Course record holder L.Suriya on Saturday exuded the confidence of setting a new course record in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here on Sunday.
Suriya, who created the course record in 2017, said that she enjoys running on the route “The route at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is very nice. In 2017, I really enjoyed the run as the weather was also good. Therefore, I put up a good performance that year. I am looking forward to another great experience in ADHM. Hopefully, I will break the course record again,” she said.
The runners of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon will be awarded Rs 1 lakh as a bonus cash prize if they break the course record this year and the top Indian elite athletes Suresh Kumar Patel, Srinu Bugatha, Pradeep Chaudhary in men’s category and Parul Chaudhary and Priti Lamba along with L.Suriya in women’s category are all set to give their best to better their respective timings in the race .
Srinu Bugatha, who has won over 100 medals in national and international running events since he took up the sport in 2010, is also eyeing the course record this time.
“Everyone is a tough competitor in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. Especially, Suresh Kumar Patel and Pradeep Chaudhary will put up a tough challenge. I have come with the target of setting my best time and will try to break the course record,” said Bugatha.
Speaking about the conditions, Pradeep Chaudhary was of the view that the weather has changed for the better since Friday and hopefully the conditions will suit the runners on Sunday.
“The weather suddenly changed on Friday. It was very windy making the conditions very cool and suitable for runners. I am looking forward to a great run and good weather on a beautiful track will be an added bonus,” said Pradeep Chaudhary.
“It’s great that the runners will be rewarded with a bonus cash prize for breaking the course record. We are very happy and I will definitely give it my all to achieve a bonus prize this year,” said Parul.
