It is that time of the year again when the registrations for the Vodafone Coimbatore Marathon, organised in aid of Coimbatore Cancer Foundation (CCF), is open. What was instituted in 2013 as a fundraiser for CCF caught the imagination of the young and old and turned Coimbatore into Marathon City.
The event has carved a unique path for itself and, since its inception, has been responsible for a surge in fitness and wellness activities. Running groups have sprung up and more and more people are seen with their jogging shoes on, morning and evening.
Each year has added a new dimension to the event. In 2014, it was about runners achieving their personal bests. In 2015, the focus was urging runners to take that extra step towards the cause. In 2016, it was all about making a conscious choice to reach personal goals and improve their best times. The 2017 event was all about taking pride in establishing running as a regular activity and inscribing the event in the city’s annual calendar. Today, it is the second largest running event in Tamil Nadu and the largest sporting event in Coimbatore.
In 2018, the sixth edition of the marathon hopes to INSPIRE: more people to take up the exhilarating hobby of running. Explaining the theme, Ramesh Ponnuswami, Race Director says, “The event has helped many residents of Coimbatore to take steps towards an active lifestyle, which resulted in them being an inspiration for others. This year, our theme is The Triangle of Inspiration combining the three elements of the city, fitness and the cause.”
October 7, 2018, is D-day and organisers expect there will be a bigger turnout than before. The number of participants has risen steadily from 8,000 in 2013 to 13,500 in 2017. A turnout of 15,000 is expected this year. Noteworthy is the increase in number of women participants. P Nithya, a runner and an organising member, says, “We are proud that 20 per cent of the participants every year are women. This year, we expect more women to run.”
The event will feature a half-marathon (21.1K), 10K run and a 5K run. Prizes will be awarded for finishers in the top three positions in the half-marathon and the 10K.
There are separate prizes for those above 45 years. “We ensure that every participant is made to feel like a winner through rich entitlements like a specially crafted medal, a running tee, and a lovely hot breakfast post-run. The love and warmth of the volunteers will always make every runner feel special,” says Bhaskar, Director, ShowSpace, the event partners.
The event is organised with the support of Coimbatore Runners, who offer their services voluntarily. In addition to sharing organising duties, they also offer free training programmes for all runners to help them participate in the event and finish strongly. Running Plus, another initiative of Coimbatore Runners to promote awareness of running, is also planned ahead of the event.
Dr T Balaji, Managing Trustee, Coimbatore Cancer Foundation (CCF), said, “This is not just a fundraiser, but also helps promote awareness about cancer prevention through regular physical activity.”
Info you can use
The sixth edition of the Coimbatore Marathon is on 07 October, 2018
Registration fee is ₹800 for 21.1 and 10K and ₹550 for 5K. Students get a discount of ₹100
Registrations to close on August 31, 2018 or earlier if the slot gets filled
To register, visit www.coimbatoremarathon.com
