Kalidas hirve

Tata Mumbai Marathon: Gopi T is looking to get into the groove in his favourite race for two more marathons to come before Paris 2024.

“I will aim for the course record at Tata Mumbai Marathon, my preparations have been good in the Sports Authority of India complex in Bengaluru. The temperatures were high there, Mumbai is hotter than last year so I don't know what to expect.” He is running here after a 2:14:58 at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon last year, hoping to find form in Mumbai.

The direct qualification time in the men's marathon for Paris 2024 is 2:08. Gopi’s personal best of 2:13:39 was at the Seoul Marathon 2022, forcing the Army runner to aim for qualification via the average route. “Runners who don’t qualify automatically have the option to average the best five race timings. I feel 2:12 will be needed at Mumbai or in two races ahead for making the grade, one in India and one abroad.”