New Delhi: Procam International, promoters of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on Wednesday announced that Ugandan long-distance runner Stephen Kiprotich has lost his father and needs to pull out from ADHM 2016.

The 2012 London Olympic Marathon gold medallist conveyed his regrets and said he was looking forward to running in India soon.

“Kiprotich is one of the friendliest athletes on the distance running circuit. He rewrote history in 2012 when he won gold at the Olympics in London, becoming the first in 40 years to win gold for Uganda. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Stephen on his loss. Our prayers and support are with him and his family during this tough time. We will certainly miss him at ADHM this year," said Dilip Jayaram CEO of Procam International.

Come Sunday, 20th November, the USD 270,000 event will witness more than 34,000 participants across different race categories . In addition to Olympic Marathon Champion Eliud Kipchoge, a stellar starting line-up that includes Worknesh Degefa, a specialized half marathoner who has ran 22 half marathons in the past four years, with 15 podium finishes; Rising Tanzanian runner Alphonce Sambu who was placed 5th at Rio Olympics; Gladys Chesir, who finished third at ADHM last year; and Tesfaye Abera winner of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015. With one of the best fields so far at ADHM, the starting line will have 13 athletes who competed at Rio Olympics 2016.

Runners at ADHM will have none other than ‘Sub-10 King’ Asafa Powell cheer for them, as they cross the starting line at the 9th edition of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.