IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon in Feb ‘16; Virat Kohli ‘Face Of The Event’
by EVENTFAQS Bureau Marketing | February 1, 2016 | News
IDBI Federal Life Insurance Virat Kohli
The inaugural edition of the New Delhi Marathon will be held in the Capital on Feb 28, 2016 with IDBI Federal Life Insurance as the title sponsor and India’s Test Cricket captain, Virat Kohli as the ‘Face of the Event’. IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon will see more than 15,000 participants take to the streets on the last Sunday of February. The has 3 categories – 42 km Full Marathon, 21 km Half Marathon, and a 5 km Swacch Bharat Run that aims to promote the message of a clean and green India. The Prize pot for this event is Rs 35 Lacs across elite and age-group categories. The elite event entry is restricted to Indian nationals only, in order to promote running as a sport in India.
Running Partner for the upcoming event, ADIDAS, will be conducting special running clubs to help enthusiasts take to running as a fitness platform. Accredited by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon has been conferred the title of ‘National Marathon Championship 2016’ - athletes with a good performance will have a chance to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. In addition, performance will also lead to national ranking for runners, for the year 2016.
In keeping with a strong sense of equality and sportsmanship, this unique event will be India’s first ‘inclusive’ marathon which will see differently-abled participants run alongside other marathoners. Winning participants are also being given an opportunity to seek jobs and apply for promotions with the Central Government.
Major D P Singh, a 3-time Limca record holder, and the first Indian blade runner, along with The Challenging Ones (TCO), a group of 20 blade runners led by him, will also participate in the IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon. The Kargil war veteran has been spearheading the cause of ‘Ability from Disability’ and will be seen leading a large group of amputees.
Speaking about the newest sports initiative of the company, Vighnesh Shahane, CEO, IDBI Federal Life Insurance said, “It is a matter of immense pride for us to be associated with the capital’s first full marathon, now called the ‘IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon’. This event is unique in many ways, and aims to inspire thousands of enthusiastic participants to lead a fit and healthy life.”
Shahane added, “We at IDBI Federal Life Insurance are deeply committed to sports, and to a sporting way of life. Given our interests in cricket and the existing portfolio of running events in Kolkata and Kochi, bringing to Delhi its first full marathon was a natural step forward for us. We will continue to identify and add similar such sports initiatives to our portfolio.”
Race Director, Nagaraj Adiga, says, “This event is for the runners and by the runners. I aim to create an event which is an experience in itself, an experience for the fastest elite to the last person crossing the finish line. This will be a destination event for runners from across the country – an amalgamation of the Delhi infrastructure and the spirit of the runners promises to be an exhilarating experience on Race Day. We would love for citizens of Delhi to come out and support the runners by cheering them along the route.”
Registrations for this event are now open on www.newdelhimarathon.com
The event being held on Feb 28, will be the capital's and Kohli’s first full marathon. Differently-abled participants will rung alongside other runners, making it the country's first 'inclusive' run.