Gopi and Chavi are top finishers among Indians

Ethiopian runners took top honors at the 2023 Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) held on Sunday, January 15.

The men’s elite category was won by Hayle Lemi of Ethiopia, who finished in a new course record of two hours, seven minutes and 32 seconds. His compatriot Anchialem Haymanot finished first among elite women, covering the distance in 2:24:15, another new course record.

Lemi was followed to the finish line by Philemon Rono (2:08:44) and Hailu Zewdu (2:10:23). In the women’s category, Rahma Tusa (2:24:22) finished second and Letebrhan Haylay (2:24:52) finished third.

Among elite Indian men, Gopi T (2:16:41) finished first followed by Man Singh (2:16:58) and Kalidas Hirave (2:19:54). In the elite Indian women’s category, Chavi Yadav (2:50:35) placed first; Arati Patil (3:00:44) placed second and Renu Singh (3:01:11), third.

Lemi, the overall winner of 2023 TMM, had won the 2016 edition of the Boston Marathon.

The event in Mumbai was being held after a gap of two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to news reports ahead of the event, over 50,000 people were due to participate across categories ranging from elite and amateur marathons to the half marathon, the 10K and the dream run.

In the open category, the overall winners in the men’s marathon were Nanjundappa M (2:27:41), Nihal Baig (2:28:17) and Manoj Kumar Yadav (2:29:02). Overall winners in the women’s category were Sarswati Rai (3:14:26), Manisha Joshi (3:18:39) and Darishisha Iangjuh (3:22:29).

In the half marathon, the top three finishers among men were Murli Gavit (1:05:16), Ankit Deshwal (1:05:45) and Dipak Kumbhar (1:05:48). Among women, the winners were Parul Chaudhary (1:15:03), Nandini Gupta (1:24:09) and Poonam Sonune (1:24:56).

The 2023 edition of TMM will be remembered for its supportive weather conditions. For the major portion of the race, the weather was quite cool. Thanks to infrastructure projects commenced years ago yet to be completed in the city, the route of the half marathon was altered. This time the half marathon began in Mahim, proceeded towards Bandra and the Sea Link and then mostly followed the route of the previous years.  

(The authors, Latha Venkatraman and Shyam G Menon, are independent journalists based in Mumbai.)