Indian elite athletes ready

World Athletics Gold Label Road: Sunday's running of the Mumbai Marathon is set to witness a high-quality clash of global pedigree and domestic excellence as elite athletes from across the world, including Ethiopia, Uganda, and Eritrea, line up alongside India’s most accomplished distance runners for the upcoming edition of the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race.

Long recognised as one of Asia’s most competitive and demanding marathons, the race has built a reputation for attracting athletes in peak form, testing them against challenging conditions and a fast-evolving course. This year’s elite fields reflect that stature, featuring world champions, seasoned international campaigners, and the in-form Indian marathoners, all arriving in Mumbai with recent results, refined preparation, and clear competitive intent.

Among the international elite is Ethiopia’s Bazezew Asmare Belay, who arrives in Mumbai with a reputation for consistency at major city marathons. Speaking ahead of the race, Belay said, “Preparation for Tata Mumbai Marathon has been very focused, especially on maintaining rhythm in tough conditions. I have learned a lot from racing big-city marathons, and consistency has been my biggest strength over the last few seasons. Mumbai is a challenging course, and that’s what excites me as an athlete. I am looking forward to testing myself and delivering a strong race.”