Asian Marathon Champion Gopi T & Asian plus Commonwealth Gold Medallist Sudha Singh to headline the 15th edition of TATA Mumbai Marathon TMM-2018

TATA MUMBAI MARATHON (TMM) 2018 / GPN

Screenshot_20180113_005642MUMBAI, (GPN):(L to R), Vivek Singh – Jt.MD. Procam International, Saurabh Sharma-Marketing Manager, ASICS,  Anjana Ghosh – Director Marketing, Bisleri, Vivek Srivatsa, Head Marketing, Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors, Harish Bhat – Brand Custodian, Tata Sons, Pradipta Bagchi – Group Chief Communications Officer, Tata Sons, Ujjwal Mathur – Vice President & Country Head- India Business – Tata Consultancy Services, Varsha Hooja – Trustee & CEO, Adapt, Devendra Bharma – Executive Vice President The Oberoi Group and Anil Singh – MD. Procam International during the countdown pc of the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018 at Trident, Hospitality Partner Nariman Point on Thursday.Screenshot_20180113_005546

(L to R), Vivek Singh - Jt.MD. Procam International, Anjana Ghosh – Director Marketing, Bisleri, Vivek Srivatsa, Head Marketing, Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors With the First Time-Ever Inspirational Medal During the Countdown PC at the Regal Room Hotel Trident the Hospitality Partner for Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018 / GPN

(L to R), Vivek Singh – Jt.MD. Procam International, Anjana Ghosh – Director Marketing, Bisleri, Vivek Srivatsa, Head Marketing, Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors With the First Time-Ever Inspirational Medal During the Countdown PC at the Regal Room Hotel Trident the Hospitality Partner for Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018 / GPN

•Two new Partners on board; Tata Nexon as Driven By Partner & Bisleri as Hydration Partner

•First-time-ever ‘Inspiration Medal’ to be given to all 42K finishers & their inspirational heroes

All Photos By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN

All Photos By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN

MUMBAI, 12 january, 2018 (GPN) : As the countdown to Asia’s most prestigious marathon begins, Procam International, promoters of the iconic event, today announced 44407 registrations including the crème de la creme in long-distance running, lining-up to vie for the top honours at Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018.
The USD 405,000 event will witness a supreme battle between world class athletes and India’s best. Getting off the blocks will be Ethiopia’s Tokyo Marathon 2017 runner-up Solomon Deksisa and Mumbai Marathon 2017 runner-up Kenya’s Joshua Kipkorir; while the women’s category will see the defending champion Kenya’s Bornes Kitur and 2017 Ljubljana Marathon winner Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo.The Indian men’s field will be headlined by Asian Marathon Champion Gopi T, along with Nitendra Singh Rawat, Mumbai Marathon 2016 course record holder; whilst Asian & Commonwealth Steeplechase Gold Medallist Sudha Singh will lead the women’s challenge along with L Suriya the fastest Indian women and course record holder for Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and Tata Steel Kolkata 25K. The Indian contingent will be paced by Hendrick Ramaala, the New York Marathon and Mumbai Marathon winner in 2004.

In an overwhelming response, the event heralded a new high with registrations across all six categories of races from over 30 nationalities. 21st January will bring together the elites, the working athletes, the differently abled, the young at heart, the affluent, the Housewife, the Industrialists, the Celebrities, the Police, the Navy, the Army, the College Student all showcasing the ‘Can Do…Will Do’ spirit of the event.

Pradipta Bagchi, Group Chief Communications Officer said, “The Tata Mumbai marathon has created an opportunity for the Tata group to increase its engagement with the community, connect with the youth and create awareness about the importance of good health and wellness. Marathon running requires commitment, passion, integrity & dedication, these reflect the ideals of the Tata group.”

He added, “The Tata group has promoted and nurtured sports for over 75 years. This commitment has resulted in the setting up of academies for different sports, sponsorships of events and individuals. We are delighted to start this new  partnership on the occasion of  the 150 years of the Tata group .”

The feature race will witness a participation of 6955 runners, while 14950 runners will run the Half Marathon. The inaugural Timed 10K Run has 1652 runners in its debut year. The Senior Citizens and the Champions with Disability Run will witness 1130 and 1220 runners, respectively. Mumbai’s favourite, the very colourful Dream Run will have 18500 enthusiastic runners take to the road adding to the carnival-like atmosphere.

Ravi Viswanathan, Chief Marketing Officer, TCS said, “TCS has been associated with the Mumbai Marathon for the last 10 years and this year it is even more special to us, since it is the Tata Mumbai Marathon. It is the single largest philanthropic sporting event held in India and provides a great platform to run for a cause.

TCS has been actively involved in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle with a focus on fit workforce. Globally, we have been leveraging our Fit4Life initiative as well as external partnerships with leading international distance running properties to promote wellness and community development among our employees, their families, and our customers. Tata Mumbai Marathon is a great way to increase our engagement with the community, raise funds for charity as well as create societal awareness about the necessity of good health and fitness”.

Vivek B Singh, Joint Managing Director, Procam International said“The TATA Mumbai Marathon has constantly aimed to bring out the best in our society and the growing running community is a testimony to our faith and dream for delivering a world class event. This success is not possible without the support from Government of Maharashtra and all our new and existing sponsors. We would like to welcome on board Tata Motors and Bisleri for the 2018 edition of the event. With the spectacular line-up of professional athletes and Sergey Bubka as the event ambassador, we are sure the 2018 edition of the event will be a day to remember. We wish all the participants good luck as they gear up for race day.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF FOR THE 2018 EDITION

 NEW SPONSORS: To make any sporting event a grand success, it is imperative to have like-minded sponsors on board and this year, two new global brands have extended their association with the event. India’s leading mineral water brand Bisleri has come on board as the Hydration Partner, and Tata Nexon as a Driven-by Partner.

Vivek Srivatsa, Head Marketing, Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors said “It is our pleasure to partner with India’s premier and Asia’s most prestigious marathon – the Tata Mumbai Marathon. Sport has always been an integral part of the Tata way of life and we stand committed to furthering the cause of Indian sport. We look forward to being a vital part of the event as the Driven By Partner and support the event as it attracts the world’s best athletes on Indian soil. Our most recent introduction, the stylish, compact lifestyle SUV, the Tata Nexon will be the star attraction at the event. With Level Nex design, driving dynamics, the Nexon will be the lead car of the Tata Mumbai Marathon and we are planning exciting on-ground & digital activations to engage with fans and participants at the event.”

Anjana Ghosh, Director – Marketing Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to associate with the Tata Sons Mumbai Marathon 2018. Being the hydration partner, we have set up 25 water stations on the running track, to ensure that all the participants are well hydrated. Marathons and sports are such events where right amount of hydration builds runners and athletes endurance. Having a number of health benefits, water is the best drink that you can give to your body and it’s important that we understand the right amount of water required by our body and follow a steady routine to achieve a fit mind and body. Further, we are excited to see participants response to our mesh installation made out of recycled bottles that embodies our PET recycling initiative – Bottles for change”.

INSPIRATION MEDAL:
The Inspiration Medal is a creative outcome of the collaboration between Procam International and Chlorophyll Innovation Lab, the Innovations Partner for the event. First of its kind in world marathon history, the Inspiration Medal is a unique symbol of victory and inspiration together. At first glance, it looks like one medal but it can be split into two medals: one for the finishers and the other for those who inspired them to #bebetter. This year, every 42K finisher and his inspiration will be awarded this medal.

CHAMPIONS WITH DISABILITY: With renewed vigour, this category has been energised with the help of Adapt, an NGO that engages with this community. Adapt is helping to create a unique running experience for the participants. There has been a remarkable increase in participation numbers with 1200 participants this year, making the event the largest platform of inclusion. To add a silver lining to the category, the event will witness the presence of Indian Paralympian and Medallist, Varun Singh Bhati, who will be a part of the event to encourage and acknowledge all CWD participants.

ASICS RACE DAY TEE: As an added motivation for all Full Marathoners, Sports Goods Partner ASICS launched the exclusive Race Day Tee for all Full Marathon participants.

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE: For the convenience of all half marathon participants there will be shuttle service from Currey Road station on the Central Railway and Mahalaxmi Station on the Western Railway lines. These buses are free for all half marathon participants wearing valid bibs, will operate from 3.30 am to 5.00 am on race day 21st January2018.

MIRCHI GET ACTIVE EXPO: A one-stop destination for runners, the Expo will be organised at MMRDA Ground, Plot No-18, G Block, Opposite Bank of Baroda, Next to BKC One Building, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra -East, Mumbai from 17th to 20th January 2018. The Expo will be on between 10.30 am and 7.00 pm on 17th to 19th January 2018 and on 20th January 2018 it will be on between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm.

Mirchi Get Active Expo is also the venue for all confirmed participants from Mumbai & Outstation registered runners to come and collect their running bibs. We advise all participants to study in detail race day instructions, familiarize themselves with all the time lines, approach plans, layout plans, security arrangements, traffic restrictions, road closures and other provisions that will come into force on Race Day.

The expo will also see a host of activities and interactive stalls of partners like Asics, Tata Motors, ORSL, TATA, Volini, Jet Airways, HRX, Skechers and other leading lifestyle brands.  In addition to this, Procam Running along with Selection Centre Sports have recently launched a wide range of running gear and equipment which will be available at the Get Active Expo.

TATA IN SPORTS: Tata Group, a global enterprise with combined revenues of around $100 billion, along with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of the world’s leading IT services, consulting and business solutions organisations, are the title sponsor of the Tata Mumbai Marathon.

Sport has always been an integral part of Tata for over 75 years. Tatas association with multiple sports ranging from cricket, football, hockey, badminton, chess, athletics, mountaineering and mtor racing, among others, has produced many award-winning sportspersons, helped the development of marginal communities and supported sporting teams, national and international events as well as training academies. The Tata Sports Club was set up in 1937 to encourage sports among its employee base across the country.

TCS is the sponsor of many premier global marathons across the world like the TCS New York City Marathon, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, and the TCS Lidingloppet (the world’s largest cross-country run), and the technology partner of the marathons held in London, Chicago, and Boston — all part of the company’s effort to promote health and fitness in the communities, the world over.

ABOUT PROCAM INTERNATIONAL: Since its inception in 1988, Procam International has been a driving force behind the growth and development of Indian sports. Envisioned by founders Anil & Vivek Singh, Procam is one of the foremost holistic sports management companies, involved in the promotion of national and international sporting events, sports consultancy, and live television programming.

Astute planning and exemplary execution of over 75 international events, in various sporting disciplines including cricket, football, tennis, distance running, squash, WWE & horse racing, among others, Procam events have elicited the participation of athletes of the highest calibre, as well as huge public interest and attendance. Founder and promoter of some of the most distinguished road races in the world: Tata Mumbai Marathon, Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Consultancy Services World 10K and the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K have helped redefine the health & fitness paradigm of our country.

In 2017, Procam International  launched the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, from Mumbai’s very own amphitheatre, Marine Drive. The close-to-shore racing experience, a course on water for the first time, and participation from the world’s best pilots and navigators, made this yet another path-breaking sporting extravaganza. ENDS
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Mumbai (GPN) : Harish Bhatt, Brand Custodian of Tata sons and others during the launch of Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018 Logo in Mumbai on Thursday. Sachin Murdeshwar /11.01.2018

Mumbai (GPN) : Harish Bhatt, Brand Custodian of Tata sons and others during the launch of Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018 Logo in Mumbai on Thursday. Sachin Murdeshwar /11.01.2018

About the Author

Sachin Murdeshwar
Sachin Murdeshwar is a Sr.Journalist and Columnist in several Mainline Newspapers and Portals.He is an ardent traveller and likes to explore destinations to the core.