Simon Kasimili is designated the pacemaker for elite foreign men facing the starter at the ninth Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2012. The Kenyan will hit the front on Sunday morning and drag the leading pack of fellow countrymen and Ethiopians in his wake, as the lead runners attempt to clock faster timings.
The SCMM is tagged with Gold Label status by the IAAF, due to the quality of runners each year resulting in faster times. Girme Assefa's 2:09:54 last year in men's full marathon eclipsed Hendrik Ramaala's 2:15:47 clocked in 2004.
Women's winner Koren Hal hit the tape in 2:26:56 last year (2004 champ Wiolette Urya was timed 2:47:53).
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After Kasimili completes his task, these loose-limbed Africans and a sprinkling of other nationalities will play pacemaker for another group behind, attempting to match strides. Indian's elite marathoners, men and women, are racing against the clock with focus firmly on AFI ‘B' grade qualification standard (2:18 men, 2:43 women).