'Marathon Flame' arrives in Mumbai from Greece

The flame was brought from the historic city of Greece to the metropolis by champion Greek marathon runner Maria Polyzou.

The flame travels only to select cities that host major marathon races and its arrival here is in recognition to the growing popularity of the event that began seven years ago.
Polyzou lit the flame at the international airport and handed it over to Mumbai Mayor Shraddha Jadhav for start of the relay.

From the airport, it was then brought to Hutatma Chowk in South Mumbai where a 15-foot high cauldron was lit up by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

Celebrities from different walks of life, including event ambassador and actor John Abraham, Rahul Bose, writer Shobha De, MP Priya Dutt, model Milind Soman, Olympian Dhanraj Pillay and cricketer Kiran More took part in the relay.

For the first time the competitors would traverse the newly built Worli-Bandra Sea Link this year. The total prize money on offer is USD 310,000, of which the men and women's winners would get USD 35,000 each.

Last year's runner-up David Tarus of Kenya, his compatriot Luka Chelimo and Ethiopia's Gebo Burka are among the top contenders who will participate in the 42-km run.
Ethiopians Haile Kabebush and three-time winner and course record holder (2:34:08) Mulu Seboka are the front runners in the women's race.