Monte-Carlo - Athletes from a record number of 64 IAAF Member Federations will contest the 13th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in the Indian capital of New Delhi on Sunday 3 October. The final total of nations is larger than for any of the previous twelve celebrations of these championships, which first were contested in Tyneside, England in 1992. On that inaugural occasion just 36 nations took part but the record prior to this year was 60 at the Brussels edition of 2002.

There are substantial competition awards on offer in New Delhi, with 30,000$US awarded for the individual winners, and prize money graduating down - 15,000, 10,000, 7,000, 5000 and 3000$US - for the next best finishers in both the men's and women's races.

There are also team awards available (up to 5 athletes to start, with 3 to score) with 15,000$US for a win, and prize money graduating down - 12,000, 9000, 7500, 6000 and 3000$US - for the next best finishers in both the men's and women's races.

The Championships will be contested on a two loop course beginning and finishing in the Jawaharal Nehru Stadium in the heart of this city of 11 million inhabitants.

This will be the first occasion on which the World Half Marathon Championships have been staged in Asia, and the first time India has been entrusted with any IAAF World Athletics Series event.