International Event Ambassador of the 20^th edition of Tata Mumbai Marathon, Mo Farah got the energy going by flagging off the Full Marathon, 10K run, Wheel Chair Run, Dream Run and other races. He was also present at the finish line for the full marathon elite athletes along with Adilee Sumariwala, former President of Athletics Federation of India.

Somalia-born British runner Farah recorded the 5,000m and 10,000m double at successive Olympics (London and Rio) and World Championships. He also won the Chicago Marathon in 2018 and bronze at the London Marathon the same year.

But this time he had a different role and unlike past event ambassadors he soaked in the role fully and matched the anchor at the prize distribution stage. He was loud, clear and poetic to steal the limelight from the announcers.

He stood on the stage, roaming around, holding a mike, making moves, encouraging the athletes, and timing his couplets like his races. Usually he is known to bring the same energy on the track and field through his legs. But Mumbai brought the best DJ out of him.

It was a carnival-like situation as thousands of people participated in different races and their families also joined as spectators alongside the route to encourage them. Early morning trains to CSTM were filled with marathon participants and their supporters.

Some even started warming up inside the trains to get ready for the actual event. The excitement was visible on their faces as the Mumbai Marathon is one of the few events that brings Mumbai on the streets that too on Sunday morning.

The event started with a Half marathon (21.097 km) from Mahim Reti Bunder at 5 am. Rest of the races including the Full Marathon started from CSTM.

The weather tested the athletes as the day progressed but it didn’t impact the enthusiasm of the athletes and their supporters. Marathoners braved the tricky course especially at Worli Sea Link, Peddar Road, other similar hills and down hills.

It was an Eritrean show among the men’s full marathon athletes despite all the focus on Ethiopians and Kenyans. Only two Eriterians participating across men’s and women’s full marathon walked away with one-two honours.

Berhane Tefsay and Merhawi Kesete stole the limelight from other athletes. Indian full marathoners were a disappointed lot as they couldn’t get the timing they wanted to qualify for World Championships and complained about late start and hydration problems.

Due to hot and humid conditions the race became tactical in the last five kilometers and all the athletes focused on winning the race rather than pushing their already cramped bodies to go for record timings.