Lyngkhoi Binning may not be happy as far as his timing is concerned, but he was nevertheless delighted with his win yesterday. The USD 6,500 (approximately Rs 4 lakh) will help him treat his father, who is suffering from tuberculosis.
Defending champion Binning clocked 2:21:16 to emerge the fastest Indian among the men's full marathoners in the eighth edition of the Mumbai Marathon yesterday. Angad Kumar (2:24:32) and Ram Singh Yadav (2:25:33) finished second and third respectively.
Binning, who hails from a small village in Meghalaya, said he desperately needed the money for his father's treatment.
"We were taking some temporary treatment, but doctors had advised us to take him to a specialised hospital as his illness is quite severe now.
"There is no proper medical facility where I live. To provide better treatment, I have to bring him to a city hospital. But I didn't have enough money for that. Thankfully, after this win, I can immediately start my father's treatment. I will speak to the doctor now and get my father admitted in a good hospital rightaway, probably in Bangalore or Mumbai because these two cities have some of the finest medical facilities," Binning told MiD DAY.
Binning wanted to collect the money himself and so never sought any help from his employers, the Indian Army.
"I wanted to do as much as I could for my father. I was confident of doing well in the Mumbai race, so I didn't ask anyone for help," he said.
Though, Binning was yet to talk to his father about his win, his brother heaved a sigh of relief when he learnt of the victory.
"He was relieved when I told him that I won. He said was: 'ab pitaji ka ilaaj achche se kar paayenge' (We can now give a better treatment for our father)," Binning signed off.
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