Asian Games berths on mind, Indian runners keen to secure qualification time
The HinduSome of India’s premier long-distance runners will be keen to clock their best timings in the New Delhi Marathon on Sunday, knowing well that this is their best opportunity to secure berths for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, later this year. Though last year’s best Indian runners Nitendra Rawat and T. Gopi are missing the Athletics Federation of India-sanctioned event this time around, India’s challenge will be led by the country’s highest-ranked marathon runner AB Belliappa and 31-year-old distance runner from Meghalaya, Anish Thapa, who clinched silver in the 2022 edition. “With Nitendra not competing this time around, I have a good chance to go for the top position, but it’s tough to say whether I will be able to clock the Asian Games qualification time,” said Thapa, who has never competed abroad. With the race scheduled for a 5:00 am start on Sunday, Belliappa could aim for the Asian Games qualification time in his home environs.