India's Nathuram finished a commendable fourth in the Nations Challenge of the Nairobi Marathon, the first leg of The Greatest Race on Earth.

Nathuram clocked two hours 30 minutes and 27 seconds for the distance of 42.195 kms, the fastest among South Asian teams, an Athletics Federation of India statement said.

Sunday's grueling run was held at an altitude of more than 1,600 metres above sea level. More than 12,000 competitors took up the challenge.

The Greatest Race on Earth, a relay of four marathons, has a prize pool of more than US $1.5 million.

In the South Asia Challenge, India has left other teams far behind like it did last year. Nathuram's timing has placed India 14 minutes 21 seconds ahead of Pakistan.

Surender Singh will take up the challenge in the next leg in Singapore while Satyaprakash and Shivdan Singh will run in Indian colours in Mumbai and Hong Kong respectively.

Results:

Nations Overall Challenge (Open to National Associations only): 1. Muge Edward (Kenya) 02:18:23 seconds, 2. Abel Chimukoko (Zimbabwe) 02:22:11, 3. Ian Fisher (UK) 02:29:30, 4. Nathuram (India) 02:30:27.

Nations Regional Challenge (South Asia): 1. Nathuram (India) 02:30:27, 2. Muhammad Aslam (Pakistan) 02:44:48, 3. Rafiqul Islam (Bangladesh) 02:59:49.