Track athletes O. P. Jaisha (1500m), Lalita Babbar and Sudha Singh (3000m steeplechase) capitalised on stiff competition from Ethiopian women distance runners at Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) 2015 to go under the qualifying standard for World Athletics Championships 2015. These three Indians will have to make a choice of events, with an eye on improving prospects at the Rio Olympics in 2016. The IAAF qualifying standard for women’s marathon is 2:44.
Jaisha, training under Dr. Nikolai Snesarev for two months following a 1500m bronze at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, clocked two hours, 37 minutes, 29 seconds along the Mumbai seafront on Sunday morning, the best Indian performer and eighth overall in elite women marathoners, the first seven places occupied by Ethiopians headed by defending champion Dinknesh Mekash. Lalita finished in 2:38:21 (ninth overall), Sudha 2:42:12 (11th).
Lalita also trained under the Belarus coach at high-altitude centre in Ooty. Going into SCMM 2015 as the best Indian, she followed Jaisha’s example and lower 2014 timing (2:50:31) and having made the grade for 2015 Worlds, left the choice of events between steeplechase and marathon to Dr. Snesarev. Sudha was the third best Indian finisher at 11th overall, after these two and Monica Wangari. She was timed at 2:42:12 (identical timing as the Kenyan).
These three Indians will be taking part in track events for respective states at the 2015 National Games in Kerala. “Ethiopians were ahead of us, other African women also finished behind us,” said Jaisha, running her first full marathon. “I am confident of better timing with more training under our coach. If two months can help us run so well, there is ample time before the 2016 Rio Olympics for preparation. I leave the decision of whether marathon or track to the coach.”
Jaisha had earned a podium finish at 2014 Incheon Asian Games, behind two Ethiopians running for Bahrain in women’s 1500. Dr. Snesarev stressed upon Jaisha and Lalita’s ability to run faster than African distance runners with systematic preparation. “Jaisha will be 33 by the time Rio Olympics comes and has a better chance to make an impression in marathon than distance running.” The Kerala athlete has run distances ranging from 1500 to 5000 and had sounded confident of pushing the elite Ethiopians and Kenyans at SCMM on marathon debut.
She followed the race tactics planned by the Belarus coach. “Dr. Nikolai had warned me that I have to be seen in the frame with lead runners, so I kept pace with Africans till a certain point before deciding to pace myself to the finish,” explained Jaisha. “We Indians need consistency in preparing for major international competitions like the Olympic Games, so hope to follow his preparation programme till Rio. He knows our ability the best and if two months work can permit me to clock such a fast time on my first marathon, just imagine the improvements we can make in the long-term under him.”
Dr. Nilolai hoped the people who run athletics and sport in India realize that Jaisha and Lalita are the nation’s best distance runners, from among the current crop. “I request the Sports Ministry and the Athletics Federation of India to appreciate the fact these two are India’s best chance for a medal at the Olympic Games. Jaisha and Lalita needed to be tuned properly, for that I request them to listen to me and understand what I have in mind for these two golden girls, in terms of facilities, nutrition and exposure.” The Belarus distance running coach had left India in 2011 following differences with Sports Authority of India and returned in time for Incheon.
Asked about Jaisha and Lalita being made to switch events from middle-distance on track to marathon on roads, he said: “I have not asked them to switch events. After the Incheon Asian Games, where Jaisha ran the 1500 and Lalita ran the steeplechase, we did basic work for the marathon. I made them do speed endurance for two months and you can see the results here.” Jaisha and Lalita will earn prize money for the Mumbai performances ($ 3500 and $ 2500 respectively for eighth and ninth position) and the chance to compete at the TCS New York Marathon later this year.
The first 10 runners are eligible for dollars prize money. Sudha will get Rs. 3,00,000 for third place among Indians, is clear that steeplechase is first choice and ran the marathon to test fitness. Jaisha’s winning time on debut over 42 kms (2:37:29) bettered the national marathon mark (2:38:10) by Valli Satyabhama set in 1995.
IAAF, world athletics governing body, stipulates that top 10 finishers at IAAF Gold Label Marathons (in 2014 and in 2015) held within the qualification period (January 1, 2014-August 10, 2015) will be considered as having achieved the Entry Standard (for World Athletics Championships 2015 to be held at Beijing). Mumbai Marathon is a Gold Label certified race, fulfilling certain criteria laid down by the world body.
