The marathon (42.195km) and half marathon (21km) distance was introduced for the first time at global level by World Athletics—the global governing body of track and field.

The national squad finished a creditable sixth in the women’s marathon team event at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships held late Sunday evening in Brasilia, Brazil.

The women’s marathon (42.195km) race walk was introduced at the global level for the first time in Brazil. The Indian trio of Priyanka (10^th)), Payal (27^th) and Manju Rani (31^th) earned 68 points to finish sixth in team standing.

Ecuador (12 points), Italy (13 points) and Brazil (28 points) finished first, second and third, respectively. 

Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist, Priyanka led the Indian challenge, clocking 3:43:01 to finish 10^th in the individual category.

Payal posted a time of 3:59:50 and Manju Rani clocked 4:05:22 to finish 27th and 31st respectively, in a strong global field of 34 athletes.

Paula Milena Torres of Ecuador won the women’s marathon race walk individual title with a time of 3:24:37.

The Indian team did not compete in the men’s marathon (42.195km) race walk competition in Brazil. In the individual category India’s Ram Baboo clocked 3:13:55 to finish 17^th and Sandeep Kumar (20^th) posted a time of 3:15:41 in the field of 49 athletes.

Japan’s Hayato Katsuki won the men’s marathon race with a time of 3:04:58. Japan also won the team title with 13 points. Italy (20 points) and Spain (41 points) placed second and third, respectively in the team event.

In the men half marathon (21km) also introduced for the first time, the Indian team with 126 points overall finished at the 11^th spot.

In the team event Japan with 20 points was the winner. Spain (39 points) and China (51 points) finished second and third.

Servin Sebasthiyan was the leading Indian race walker in the men’s half marathon. He clocked 1:30:28 to finish 19^th.

Akshdeep Singh (50^th), Hardeep (57^th) and Sahil (59^th) finished in that order. Result of top three finishers from each country are considered for team event.

Akshdeep clocked 1:38:19 and Hardeep crossed the finish line at 1:42:28. Sahil clocked 1:43:11.

Italian Franseco Fortunato was the winner of the men’s half marathon event with a time of 1:27:25.

In the women’s half marathon (21km) team event, the Indian squad earned 134 points to finish in 11^th place. Team title went to Ukraine with 25 points. Spain (28 points) and Australia (30 points) were second and third in the team event.

In the individual category India’s Ravina (1:45:44–39^th) Munita Prajapati (1:47:15—43^rd) and Mansi Negi (1:54:12—52^nd) finished in that order.

Kimberly Garcia Leon of Peru won women’s half marathon gold with a time of 1:35:00.

EOM