Anil Ambani (C) participates in the Mumbai Marathon 2015
Mumbaikars from all sections of society are running for charity in the 12th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon today. Apart from the full Marathon (42.195 km) and the Half marathon (21.097 km), the annual event also includes a corporate champions race, a police cup (for Mumbai Police), a dream run, a senior citizen's run and a run for champions with disability.
The Mumbai Marathon, in its 12th edition, has reinforced its position as not just India's biggest marathon event, but also as one of the biggest fund raising platforms in India and the Asian subcontinent. It is one of the largest marathons in Asia with more than 40,485 participants. It is the richest race in India with a prize pool of US $350,000.
The marathon starts opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. It passes many of the city's iconic locations such as Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Haji Ali, Mahim Church, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The first race in 2004 had 22,000 participants and raised Rupees 14.4 million (US $269,000). Both the number of participants and amount of money raised rose drastically over the years with 30,000 people running in 2007 (Rupees 79.4 million, US $1,490,000). The 2013 edition hosted 40,000 runners (Rupees 179 million, US $3,330,000 for over 232 NGOs).
The Athletics Federation of India President, Adille Sumariwalla has announced that the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon will be the pre-qualification event for the World Championships in August in Beijing. A highlight of this event is that Software giant Tata Consultancy Services has announced it will sponsor the top two Indian finishers in both men's and women's full marathons at the TCS New York City Marathon in November.