Mumbai, Jan 15 (IANS) Kenya's Laban Moiben Sunday bagged the winner's title in the 42 km men's category at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2012 while Ethiopia's Netsanet Abeyo emerged on top in the women's category.

A close second in the men's title was Raji Assefa of Ethiopia. The third position was bagged by another Kenyan, John Kyui.

For Abeyo, the winner in the women's title, this was her third marathon title.

From India, Ram Singh Yadav got a 'B' that helped him qualify for the London Olympics, a first for any Indian athlete.

"I am happy but I want my timing to be even better," said an ecstatic Yadav after the race.

Nearly 39,000 people - ranging from celebrities, industrialists, women, senior citizens to minors, physically-challenged and commoners - participated in the much-awaited and richest sporting event in Asia.

Bollywood actor John Abraham and former tennis player Vijay Amritraj motivated the participants as the two event ambassadors for the marathon.

A total purse of $340,000, with an overall increase of $15,000 for the different categories of winners, including prizes for the top three winners, as compared to 2011 was given out to winners in various categories.

A total of 3,500 people ran the Full Marathon and 11,000 the Half Marathon. The Dream Run had 22,000 participants, including many celebrities, while 1,800 participated in the Senior Citizens' Run and 200 in the Wheelchair event.



Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/