With the sixth edition of The Wipro Chennai Marathon soon approaching, differently-abled participants tell us why they love running at this all-inclusive event.
“It’s a proud moment for us when we compete with able-bodied marathoners. Sometimes they stop, and we continue and complete the marathon. It’s our way of telling the world not to look at us with sympathy because we are just as capable,” says Shailesh Kumar, India’s fastest wheelchair half marathon runner, a title he received after the Kota Marathon in September earlier this year. He completed 21 km (half marathon) in 1 hour 45 minutes. Currently based in Chandigarh, Kumar is a counsellor and also trains people in wheelchairs. Kumar is all set to participate in marathon on December 3. A football player during his school days, Kumar hurt his spinal cord while playing the sport in 2011. “I have been using the wheelchair since 2014 and now also play basketball,” says the 24-year-old.
This is the 20th marathon he will be taking part in. Through these, he wants to spread awareness about how paraplegics are equals and are capable people. “I am pleased that his message is reaching a lot of people. So many of them who have been wheelchair bound for 15-20 years are now coming out and doing a lot more. Activities such as these keep our bodies fit. However, I wish there are more facilities and ramps everywhere,” he adds.
Shahid Kandrikar, President, Chennai Runners, says, “This year there are 74 differently-abled people taking part, of which 14 are amputees, 20 hearing and speech impaired, 15 with polio and 25 with spinal cord injuries. They take part in all three categories - 10 km, 21 km and 42 km.”
Sushant Kr Suna, a 26-year-old MBA student from Sathyabama University, is also preparing for the upcoming marathon. He lost his left leg in a road accident in 2014 and has been wearing a prosthetic leg ever since. He trains early mornings with some warm up exercises and runs three kms, followed by cardiovascular and strengthening exercises in the gym every evening.
“Before running, I first had to learn to stand. Initially it was very difficult. Next came the challenge of learning to run. I wasn’t able to balance my body on inclined terrains. A lot of people tried to stop me from running,” he recalls.
But ever since February 2015, he’s been running. “It has helped me teach people that there is ability beyond disability and enables me to empower other differently-abled persons by being an example,” adds Suna.
