21 August,2017 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Mumbai half marathon organisers blunder by announcing a certain Aarti as winner when Varsha Bhavari crossed the finish line in 21km race first
Varsha Bhavari celebrates after winning the Mumbai half marathon yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan
Among the many runners stretching every sinew in the women's section of the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Mumbai half marathon yesterday, was Varsha Bhavari, who ended up crossing the finish line in one hour, 22 minutes and 53 seconds in the women's section.
Clear winner
She and onlookers believed she had won the grueling race, but the official announcement mentioned the name of Aarti.
Even the official press release declared Aarti as the winner in the 21km race with a timing of 1:22.53s. Anita Rani (1:32.06s) and Neha Grover (1:43.18s) finished the race in second and third place respectively. Varsha, who ran with bib No. 212 came to the podium to receive her medal when the organisers announced her bib number.
However, Varsha had to return as there was no one to present her the medal. When this reporter informed the organisers of the blunder, he was asked, "Did Varsha show you her bip No. 212? We have no confusion with our records and winners' list," insisted a volunteer, who was involved in announcing the results.
The organisers later set the record straight and Varsha was announced as the winner.
Varsha confused
"I don't know what happened after the race, but I crossed the line first," Ghatkopar-based Varsha, 24, told mid-day.
The Mumbai Police employee won the bronze medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the Nationals in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh last month.
"I enjoyed running in wet conditions.
"There was no such competition but I was satisfied with my performance (1:22.53s) which was three minutes better than my best."
