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Kipruto aims to break Bekele’s course record in Kolkata 25 km race
Kolkata, Dec 14 (IANS) Kenyan Amos Kipruto, who won silver at the Berlin marathon three months back, is confident of breaking Bekele’s course record in the Tata Steel Kolkata 25 km race here on Sunday.
Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele had set the course record of one hour 13 minutes 48 seconds in the unique 25 km event in 2017.
Talking to reporters on Friday, the 26-year-old said he’s perfectly in shape to better Bekele’s record here.
“After Berlin, I had some injury problems but I’m fully fit now and feel ready to break the record,” Kipruto said.
Kipruto has the best timing of 1:00:24 in the half-marathon in Sweden.
“I believe running fast in 25 km is achievable,” he said, adding that he’s targeting to break the world record of 58:18 in 21K.
“I think that next year I can break the world half marathon record (58:18 by Kenya’s Abraham Kiptum, set last month in Valencia),” he said.
At the Berlin marathon in September, Kipruto was pipped by fellow mate Eliud Kipchoge with a world record timing of 2:01:39.
Kipchoge happens to be his neighbour and Kipruto said he’s inspired by him.
“It has inspired me, he lives just 800 metres away from my house.”
Running his first race after the Berlin marathon, he said “I was not looked at because all the focus was on Kipchoge (Eliud). But I put in a strong race. I have prepared well and I know I will be on the podium on Sunday,” he added.
The Kenyan won’t have a field day as a stiff challenge from Ethiopian Birhanu Legese, a two-time Delhi Half Marathon winner who most recently ran in India in May this year, awaits.
“I like racing in India a lot as it’s often warm races and I seem to do well in them,” Legese said.
The 25 km race, which is an IAAF Bronze label road race, has attracted strong fields.
Ethiopia’s defending women’s champion Degitu Azimeraw, who surprised everyone in 2017 by taking the honours in a course record of 1:26.01 in her first international race, sounded confident that she can go even faster in this year’s race.
‘I have ambitions to win this race again and I am in very good shape,” the 19-year-old said.
“Last year’s race changed my life and I am happy to return here.”
She will be alongside Kenya’s two-time world champion Florence Kiplagat on the start line.
India’s challenge will be led by Services runner Avinash Sable who recently broke a 37-year-old world record in steeple chase.
“Steeplechase is my favourite event but events such as this help in developing endurance. This year I am prepared better than the previous year,” he said.
–IANS
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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.