Get ready for an exciting showdown at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon! The 20th edition of this World Athletics Gold Label Road Race kicks off on October 12 in New Delhi, promising top-tier action from elite runners around the globe.
Leading the men’s elite field is Ethiopia’s Jemal Mekonen, a star from the country’s winning team at the 2017 World Cross Country Championships in Kampala. Making his debut in India, the 29-year-old brings a stellar record, including multiple races under 60 minutes and a personal best of 58:33. Mekonen has finished fourth at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2018 and 2023, and he’s the 2018 African 10,000m champion plus the fresh winner of the 2024 Seoul Marathon. “It’s my first time in India, and I’ve heard so much about the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon—my fellow runners call it fast and fabulous,” Mekonen shared with excitement.
Kenya’s stars are set to challenge hard too. Benard Biwott, who just triumphed at the Paris Marathon this year, heads the pack. He’ll race alongside Ronald Kwemoi, the Paris Olympics 5000m silver medallist trying his hand at a half-marathon for the first time, and Isaac Kipkemboi, who’s gunning for a podium spot.
Ethiopia’s lineup stays strong with Birhanu Legese, known for his marathon personal best of 2:02:48 and back-to-back Tokyo Marathon wins in 2019 and 2020. Indian fans remember him from podium finishes in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi. Teammates Bayelign Teshager and Melesse Birhan are also ready to shine. With eight men in the field clocking sub-60-minute half-marathons, expect a nail-biting men’s race at this Delhi Half Marathon.
Over in the women’s elite category, defending champion Alemaddis Eyayu from Ethiopia aims to hold her title. She’ll face tough opposition from Kenya’s Lilian Rengeruk, a multiple world cross-country medallist who grabbed fifth in the 10,000m at the Paris Olympics. Rengeruk’s personal best beats the Delhi course record of 1:04:46, making her a real threat.
Eyayu is pumped: “I’m thrilled to return for the 20th Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. It won’t be easy, but I’m ready to push hard and defend my crown.” Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshanesh, the former half-marathon world record holder with a 64:31 personal best, joins as a top contender. Kenya’s Catherine Amangole, the 2023 World Half Marathon bronze medallist, rounds out the fierce women’s competition.
This Delhi Half Marathon packs a massive USD 260,000 prize purse, with equal payouts for men and women. Winners in each category snag USD 27,000, runners-up get USD 20,000, and third place earns USD 13,000. Plus, there’s a USD 12,000 bonus for anyone smashing the event record.
“It’s hard to believe we’re at the 20th edition—it feels like yesterday,” said Vivek Singh, joint managing director of Procam International, the event organizers. “A huge thanks to our sponsors, supporters, and the athletes who’ve kept raising the bar year after year.”
Don’t miss this thrilling half-marathon spectacle—it’s set to be one of the fastest and most fabulous yet!
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