“I am not a delicate darling, I can also run,” said Varsha Jain, president of IPS Officers’ Wives Association, who along with other members of the group came in their running shoes on Friday to extend support for the Chennai International Half Marathon to be held on Sunday.
Pledging support for the run, the proceeds of which will go to support underprivileged children under the GiveLife programme, will be over 60,000 enthusiasts, going by the number of people registered so far.
The marathon’s organisers, who took part in the programme on the Marina beach on Friday, assured people that all arrangements have been put in place.
Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said that the police force would be stationed every 1 km and water stations located at several points along the route. Around 10 ambulances would be deployed, with two of them following the runners in each race and one parked at every 2 km for providing first aid. Besides, medical stations, a 30-member observation squad for those running the 21-km run and bottled water are to be arranged along the course.
According to Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj, founder, Tamil Maiyam, which is organising the event, the momentum is picking up with around 3,000 registrations on Friday alone. “In fact, all those who couldn’t register can still come to the spot and enrol,” he said.
International runners from Kenya and Ethiopia, trustees of Give Life Foundation Akhila Srinivasan and Latha Rajan were also present.
The start and finish for the half marathon is the War Memorial. The run starts at 6 a.m. and 6.30 a.m. for men and women respectively. The route will be Kannagi statue bus stop, Adyar Poonga, T.V.K. Bridge, end of 5th Avenue at Elliots Beach and return.
The City Run (7 km) will also start and end at the War Memorial. It will begin at 7.30 a.m. and pass through Triplicane Railway Bridge (Pycrofts Road), Triplicane High Road and Priyadharshini Park Hotel. Wheel Chair Run (500 m) starts opposite the Secretariat at 8.30 a.m.
Parking facilities are allotted at MLA Hostel, Chintadripet Railway Station, Madras Medical College and Island Grounds.
For queries on the marathon, log on to www.givelife-chennaimarathon.com or call 24994344.
