The Cochin International Half Marathon has increased the total prize money to Rs.65 lakh from Rs. 50 lakh. It will also have a separate prize fund for Indian athletes. Around 25,000 people are expected to run with renowned runners in the event on December 7 has grown in terms of prize money and participation.
While the total prize money has increased from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 65 lakh with a separate prize fund for Indian athletes, about 25,000 Keralites are expected to brush shoulders with globally renowned long distance runners.
The event would see the participation of around 20 foreign athletes besides the country’s high profile male and female long distance runners. The registration for the event will start on October 1. The marathon will take a slight detour this time considering the ongoing Kochi Metro works. It will be flagged off from Marine Drive, will proceed along Fort Kochi before ending at Maharaja’s College ground unlike the maiden edition when it began and ended at the Maharajas College ground.
The male and female winners will take home $5,500 each while runners-up will bag $3,250. Men and women finishing up to first eight places will receive prize money. The fastest Indian man and woman athlete will get Rs. 2 lakh each and runners-up Rs. 1.50 lakh. Top ten Indian finishers would also be eligible for prize money.
There will be performance bonuses of $1,500 for men and women participants who break the existing overall course records, which stand at 62minutes and 54seconds set by Kenyan Bernard Kipyego and 71minutes and 54 seconds set by Helah Kiprop Kenyan woman athlete.
Any Indian who betters the 64minutes and 37seconds set by G. Lakshmanan will take home Rs. 1 lakh. There is an additional bonus of Rs. 50,000 for an athlete who finishes below 65 minutes. Indian women finishing the race below 78 minutes will be eligible for a bonus of Rs. 1 lakh besides a bonus of Rs. 50,000 for women who finish below 79 minutes.
Besides, the open half marathon, the new addition this year is a 21.097 kilometre relay event for corporates and 10 kilometre timed run for amateurs. There will also be a 7-kilometre run for people from all walks of life aged above 13 years. The half marathon and the 10km run will have an open category besides categories for different age groups.
The event has been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and is being conducted under the aegis of the Athletic Federation of India. Kerala State Athletics Association has been entrusted with the technical conduct of the event, which is being promoted by Push Integrated Communications and managed by Push Aryanz Sports Events.
