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Two Indian orphans lost out on a much-needed payday at the Mumbai marathon as they could not afford the $4 for timing chips in their shoes.

The 18-year-olds, Sunita Kanna and Savita Kamble, members of a local sports trust for orphans, came fourth and fifth in the women's half-marathon.

Kanna would have won $500 and Kamble $400 if they had the chips embedded in their shoes. Average annual per capital income in India is around $1,000.

"In hindsight, we can think that we lost some money," Kamble told the Hindustan Times . "But that doesn't matter. We enjoy running and next time we will have another shot at getting the prize money."

Their coach, Bhagwan Nagargoje, said the trust would have had to borrow money to buy the chips. "We came here to test waters and never expected anything. So we thought 'why add to our expenses?'" he said. "It is my fault."

Race manager Homiyar Mistry confirmed the pair were recorded in the official finish list, but would not get the prize money.

"It was made clear in the rules and we will abide by them."

Around 35,000 people participated in the race on Sunday, the first international sports event in Mumbai since the militant attacks in November.

Reuters