Celebrity watching on Sunday
We all know Mumbai Marathon will be one of the best events of this year, but this is just not limited to the people taking part in the Marathon but for others too..who just wanna stand and watch or maybe even root for the favourite celebrity .
Mid-day presents a detailed list of stars taking part in the Marathon and where you can catch them.
Catch Abhishek, Rani at 8 am
The two will be at the venue bright and early at 8 am. The road adjacent to the entrance of CST is where all the races will begin. They will be flagging off the senior citizens’ run after which they are expected to participate in the Dream Run. So if you want to get an exclusive look at the couple, be there at 8am at CST.
The stars in the Dream Run
The celebrity bandwagon will begin the Dream Run a few minutes ahead of the rest of the crowd.
The dream run is scheduled for 9.30 am and the celebrities will be present at the starting point at Azad Maidan. The run will end at Hotel Hilton Towers. So if you can’t get to the starting point of the race, then stand en route before the scheduled time to catch them anywhere between the two places. On an average the celebrities complete the race in approximately an hour.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Governor SM Krishna will flag off all the races and those taking part are Yana Gupta, Milind Soman, Rahul Bose, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Shilpa Saklani, Mona Wasu, Ajay Gehi, Prakash Padukone, Gulshan Grover, Anil Ambani, Dolly Thakore, Bikram Saluja, Yash Chopra, Tanaaz Currim amongst others.
Where to be at what time
Last year the winners of the full marathon took 2 hours, 13 mins (men) and 2 hours and 35 mins (women) to complete the race.
* So if you want to cheer them on and cannot be at Azad Maidan at 8 am, then be at Bandra Reclamation by 9 am to watch them take a U turn to head back to Azad Maidan.
* Since the half marathon is the first race to start, you might want to catch the runners at Worli (Mela restaurant) when they take a U turn to the starting point.
* All runners will pass Hutatma Chowk. If you find a comfortable place to park yourself — don’t move for the rest of the day.
* Marine Drive offers the best view of the full marathon, half marathon and Dream Run. Find a spot and get ready to cheer.
Turn on the TV at 7 am sharp
If you are not on the roads then make sure to turn on the TV. Zee Sports, Zee News and DD National will be covering the race live from the start at 7 am, till the last runner reaches the finish line. According to the organisers, three helicopters have been deployed so viewers get the best aerial view. There will also be 27 TV station vans on route of the full marathon. The control room for the TV crew is on top of the A-I building.
Highs & lows of past two years
* Last year, after the tsunami, organisers reopened running slots so people could particpate and raise money for relief.
* Since the marathon event started, organisers have been trying to entice the UK-based Fauja Singh to come to Mumbai as a guest. Singh is a veteran marathoner, who is now 95 years old and has set a world record for his age by participating in the full marathon.
* Kokilaben Kadakia (77), a heart patient suffered a cardiac arrest while she was participating in the Mumbai marathon last year. She was rushed to Bombay Hospital where she died. This death is the only sad chapter in the history of the run.
* This being the diamond jubilee year for the Home Guards, 100 of them will compete the full marathon while 800 will be on duty looking into the security around the city.
So guys get there early and book your seat spot.
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