Olympic champion Ashton Eaton named ambassador for Delhi Half Marathon 2023

The Delhi Half Marathon, which is set for October 15, 2023, will feature Ashton Eaton serving as its international event ambassador. Eaton is a two-time Olympic winner and the only person to have scored more than 9,000 points twice in a decathlon competition.

Vivek Singh, Jt Managing Director of Procam International said, “We are very excited to have one of the greatest athletes of all time Ashton Eaton in our midst at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2023. His sporting achievements and his philanthropic ventures are noteworthy. His presence will certainly motivate all our runners and we couldn’t have asked for a better International Event Ambassador.”

The American set a world record and held it for six years till Kevin Mayer of France shattered it in the Decathlon event at the 2016 and 2012 Olympics.

Additionally, Eaton won two gold medals at the World Championships in the decathlon in 2013 and 2015, as well as a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships. In 2015, he was again recognized as IAAF Athlete of the Year.

He has also demonstrated his prowess in the Heptathlon competition. In 2012, Eaton broke his heptathlon world record in the IAAF World Indoor Championships with a score of 6,645. He also won three gold medals at the Heptathlon event at the World Indoor Championships in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

Eaton had captivated the globe as a collegiate track and field athlete before his accomplishments at the highest level. He won five National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, including two heptathlon and three decathlon titles.

After winning the NCAA championship in the indoor heptathlon competition, where he established the world record score of 6,499 points, he was also given the 2010 Bowerman Award.

“I know from experience that running has the ability to inspire which is why I’m excited to support the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. For almost two decades, this incredible event has seen the support of historic athletes and has brought people together for health and community,” said Ashton Eaton.

“I’m witnessing how India is having an impact on my sport and there is so much more potential for this nation in athletics. I urge the people of India to join the movement, I’ll be cheering you on!” he added.

Before ending his career in 2017, Eaton became only the third Olympian, behind Daley Thompson of Great Britain and Bob Mathias of the US, to win back-to-back gold medals in the decathlon events.

Eaton is married to Canadian Brianne Theisen-Eaton, who took third place in the heptathlon event at the Rio Olympics and earned an Olympic bronze medal. Through child sponsorship in Kenya, the pair has been engaged in considerable humanitarian activity with Team World Vision.

On October 15, there will be a Delhi Half Marathon. All available spots in the Open 10K race have been taken due to the overwhelmingly positive response. All other physical event categories, including the half-marathon, Great Delhi Run (about 4.5 km), Senior Citizens’ Run (approximately 2.5 km), and the Champions with Disability Run (approximately 2.5 km), are still open for registration through September 30 at 11:59 p.m.

-IANS