Rashpal Singh wins Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon

MUMBAI: Rashpal Singh of Army Sports Institute, Pune made the most of the prevailing cool conditions in the city and its suburbs to win the men's full marathon title, shattering Olympian Kheta Ram's record, in the Vasai Virar Mayor's Marathon on Sunday.
Running a brave start-to-finish race, Rashpal clocked 2:22.04 to eclipse 28 seconds from Kehta's course record of 2:22.32, set last year.
Rashpal's feat was emulated by the winners of the men's and women's half marathon, who came home in record time to make it a hat-trick.
It was sweet revenge for Sanjivani Jadhav, who came home in 1:18.02 seconds, breaking Swathi Gadhave's record of 1:18.35 seconds. Monika Athare, who had beaten Sanjivani in the Delhi half Marathon, had to settle for third place.
The men's half marathon saw a tough contest between AB Baliappa and Srinu Bugatha, before the former pulled away to win in 1:05.33. Bugatha finished a second behind, while Damor Mohan came in third.
"I am very satisfied with my win," said Rashpal, pleased at having broken Kheta's record. "The support from the people was great, the support from the spectators which added to the win came from people across all ages throughout the route. My next target is the World Championship, and I am sure I will be able to achieve it. I have maintained my pace from the beginning till the end for this race," he added.
Event ambassador, Lalita Babar said, "Watching the crowd pumped up was a wonderful experience for me. I know how running changed my life, and I am delighted to see so many thousands of people take it up as passionately."
Rashpal went home richer by Rs 2.50 lakhs, while Pankaj Dhaka took home Rs 1.25 lakh and Satyabhan received cash award of Rs 75,000.
List of winners across categories:
Men's - Full Marathon: 1st position Rashpal Singh (02:22:04), 2nd position Pankaj Dhaka (02:28:55), 3rd position Satyabhan (02:30:51)
Men's - Half Marathon: 1st position Baliappa AB (01:05:33), 2nd position Srinu Bugatha (01:05:34), 3rd position Damor Mohan (01:05:51)
Women's - Half Marathon: 1st position Sanjivani Jadhav (01:18:02), 2ndposition Saigeeta Naik (01:18:55), 3rd position Monika Athare (01:20:06)