Tata Group becomes title sponsors of Mumbai Marathon

Participants in action during a Mumbai Marathon earlier this year. File Pic

The Tata Group today became the title sponsors of Mumbai Marathon, the country's premier marathon event, with the hope that it becomes one of the coveted world majors in near future.

Till last year, British banking major Standard Chartered was the title sponsor of marathon. It will now be called TATA Mumbai Marathon from the next edition in 2018.

The salt-to-software conglomerate is headquartered in the city and traces its origins to this financial capital of the country.

Vivek Singh of Procam International, the promoter of Mumbai Marathon, announced that the diversified, USD 102-billion Tata Sons will helm the marathon for the next decade.

"The entry of Tata's into running will make world a better place," Singh said at an event here. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekharan, himself a distance runner, said, "It (running) teaches you tenacity, it teaches you perseverance, it teaches you persistence, patience. It makes you observe things. Running and marathon running, to me, finding a relationship with yourself".

"It's a great city. I look forward to being part of the marathon and hope many many people will enjoy the race and Bombay hopefully someday becomes one of the world majors," added Chandrasekharan.

It may be noted that at present, annual marathons in six cities --- Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City --- make the world majors.

Legendary Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie urged the runners to train for the mega event.

Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, John Abraham, the face of the Marathon, actress Gul Panag, lyricist Prasoon Joshi, Mumbai Cricket Association president Ashish Shelar among others were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Development Tourism Corporation has supported the Mumbai Marathon.