A record 35,000 people on Sunday participated in the annual half marathon in the national Capital, which nearly ran into trouble this year because of poor air quality before the Delhi High Court allowed it to go ahead as scheduled.

The Indian Medical Association had requested that the event be postponed, but the organisers said they were well-equipped to handle any medical emergency arsing because of the rising pollution levels in the city.

Ethiopian athletes won both the men’s and women’s races in the Delhi Half Marathon’s International Elites category. Berhanu Legese took the lead position seconds before reaching the finishing line in the men’s race while his compatriot Almaz Ayana won the race in the women’s category.

Participants out running in the Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday morning. [Credit: Rohan Venkataramakrishnan]
The Delhi Half Marathon kicks off with great fervour on Sunday. [Credit: Rohan Venkataramakrishnan]
Participants out running near India Gate in the Delhi Half Marathon. [Credit: Rohan Venkataramakrishnan]