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'Marathoners don't get respect'

Last updated on: January 14, 2023 10:39 IST

IMAGE: Marathoners, who will run Sunday's Mumbai Marathon, against the backdrop of the city's magnificent Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, January 13, 2023. Photograph: Arun Patil

IMAGE: Olympic medallist Yohan Blake is the International Ambassador for the Mumbai Marathon. Photograph: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com

At the 2012 Olympics, multiple Olympic champion Usain Bolt faced a real contest from fellow Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake. Blake finished behind his great compatriot to win silver in the 100 metres at the London Olympics.

Sprint races grab a lot more eyeballs across the world and Blake, the International Event Ambassador for the 2023 Tata Mumbai Marathon, said marathoners don't get their due.

"I don't think marathon runners get the utmost respect they deserve," Blake, once the world's youngest 100 metres world champion, says.

"The marathon is run at a certain pace. It's not easy," Blake adds.

Yohan Blake does his famous 'roar' celebration

IMAGE: Yohan Blake does his famous 'roar' celebration. Photograph: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com

Eliud Kipchoge smashed his world marathon record by 30 seconds, clocking 2:01:09 at the Berlin Marathon last year, and Blake thinks the Kenyan's time will be bettered.

"It's possible, it can go lower by far. Give it time. Anything is possible," predicts 33-year-old Blake, the second fastest man of all time.

IMAGE: Yohan Blake with his medals from the 2012 London Olympics. Photograph: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com

Blake has run the 100 metres under 10 seconds 48 times in his career and is eyeing the World Championships in August.

"I'm focusing on Budapest. I didn't do what I wanted in the World Championships (Eugene, Oregaon, USA, 2022). I'm very focused on Budapest."

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"I intend to come to India and find the best runners. Use my team to train them," he says. If it wasn't for COVID it would be in action already."

SATISH BODAS