It is pitch dark and chilly on the Sunday morning where hundreds of people gathered near the Visitors Centre in Auroville.
The announcement for group warm up exercises draws cheer from the audience who have been stretching and chatting in groups. If anything, they seemed raring to go. In its 8th edition in 2015, the Auroville Marathon, which was held on February 8, has gained a reputation of offering a unique experience, which explains why it has attracted more than 3,400 participants from places across India, and some international runners as well.
C. Sylendra Babu, Additional Director General of Police, Coastal Security Group, Tamil Nadu and his team of 21 marine commandos are regulars at this annual event for three successive years. “The marathon helps build team spirit and fitness. The marine commandos engage in seafaring, which requires a high level of fitness,” he said.
Offering runners a mixed route of forest trail and road surface and the calm environs of Auroville, participants got to take a glimpse of the accommodation areas, the administrative sections and of course, the green expanse that marathons in other cities struggle to offer.
“The running circuit of the Auroville Marathon offers one of the best experiences, with its green atmosphere,” said Chandresh, race director of the Marathon.
From the first edition which had around 250-odd runners, the Auroville Marathon has grown in scale. With four categories, (42.2 km, 21.1 km, 10 km and 5 km), the event catered to participants from small children to those in their 70s. At 1,800 participants, the half marathon (21.1 km) got the largest number of participants.
Organising the Auroville Marathon is a mammoth exercise, involving more than 400 volunteers and three months of planning. Organisers had placed 11 aid stations along the course routes, with the Auroville bicycle group escorting the runners. Auroville Security assisted in route mapping, while Auroville Road Service helped set-up the venue and trail.
The Chennai Japanese Association turned up with a 24-member contingent under the banner of the Chennai Marathon Club. Atsushi said the group trained every week at the Marina Beach for almost a year for the event.
Kayako who works at the Japanese Consulate said, “I am quite excited and look forward to completing the 10 km course.”
Another group, Soles of Cochin, had runners from 13-year-old Rohit to 60-year-old Vaidyanathan participating. “We are all mad about running. It is a great stress buster and gives a good feeling,” said Radhi from the group.
A majority of runners are in the age group of 30s and 40s, said Mr. Chandresh, as running a marathon involves ‘personal growth’ and ‘perseverance,’ two qualities found in this age group.
Jesse Fox-Allen, who was in charge of announcements said that the marathon connects with Auroville’s philosophy of disengaging one’s ego and respecting one’s body as it pushes one to do their best. “One of the goals of Auroville is human unity. This marathon helps bring all these runners together and think about what is common among them than what is different,” he said.
The Auroville Marathon’s slogan, ‘Run for the Joy of Running’ seemed to have been followed in spirit.
