Top News
Mo Farah eyes British record at London Marathon
London, April 18 (IANS) Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah aims to break the British record at the 38th London Marathon to be held on April 22. The 35-year-old will target Steve Jones’s record of 2:07:13, set in 1985, when he takes on the 42.195-kilometre challenge for the second time.
“I have learned a lot since I made my marathon debut in London in 2014,” he said to reporters on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.
“I understand the marathon more, so I will go after the British record and see what I’m capable of. My aim on Sunday is to respect the other guys and get on with the race.”
Farah, also a multiple world track champion, set an English record of 2:08:21 four years ago, which makes him the 13th fastest in Sunday’s field, a line-up containing eight athletes who have run under 2:06, including the second and third fastest men in history in Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Kenya’s Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge.
“It’s a great feeling not being the favourite. There isn’t much pressure on me,” he said.
Farah retired from the track eight months ago at the London 2017 World Championships and has concentrated his attention on marathon.
“When things are great, that’s the time to find a new challenge, something to get you motivated and get you up in the morning. And running the marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.
“Having a new challenge has made me feel more relaxed. You have to enjoy what you do, otherwise what’s the point? I’m enjoying my running now more than ever.”
Farah believes he’s capable of clocking 2:04 hours or 2:03 hours “in the right race at the right pace” but admitted that his strategy on Sunday may change if the favourites go all-out in the early stages.
“I will give it 110 per cent, but a lot of things can happen in a marathon and things change quickly, so you never know what will happen. A win would be amazing but I go to every race to fight and try to get onto the podium. It’s going to be an incredible race,” he concluded.
–IANS
pur/bg
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.