Women in Thiruvananthapuram are ready to reclaim the night like never before this International Women’s Day, March 8. While marathons might be passé now, a night run is a first in the capital. With ticket registrations having crossed 500 so far, it looks like WOW Run, being organised by Tracs (Trivandrum Runners Club), is just what the city needed.
The idea for the night run emerged late last year but was moved to coincide with the theme for International Women’s Day 2017, #BeBoldForChange, says Bismi Krishna, convener of the event and vice-president of Tracs. “The event is being held on a week day, but that has not fazed people who have to head to work the next day.”
Mini events
An all-women presence of guests, patrons, participants and many mini-events are expected to add value to the run. “There is self-defence training by the police. We are also bringing women from different communities and walks of life to the event. There’s some fun with a round of Zumba too,” she says.
Aleyamma Vijayan, gender consultant, co-founder of NGO Sakhi Women’s Resource Centre and one of the patrons for the event, is heartened to see the reins for such a cause being taken up by a running club. “It will bring forth many new faces. Even if women are coming for only part of the night, it is nice to see something like this happening, especially with the support of so many men.”
The run is drawing participation from corporate companies and educational institutions as well. Sitara Anilal, a consultant with Envestnet, an asset management company, and a patron of the event, will lead 30 women runners on March 8. “I am a novice runner and registered for the fun of it. We got an overwhelming response from our company for the event in spite of it being a working day and children having exams.”
Members of Tracs
She thinks WOW Run is a start to the change people wish to see. “I don’t think the WOW Run alone is going to bring in a great deal of change. But I do believe that hosting more such events will boost the confidence of women and eventually change mind sets in favour of what women are capable of, to respect women in sports and also create awareness in women about the need to keep fit,” adds Sithara.
First time runners Poornima Suraj and Lekshmi Shaji are excited about the event. An IT professional who has worked in many cities before moving to Thiruvananthapuram, Poornima, an Infosys employee, feels it is high time people get used to seeing women outdoors at night. “I am required to work late into the night sometimes. There have been so many disturbing incidents where techies were assaulted or murdered over the last year. When I saw a flyer about the WOW Run on the notice board at work, the word ‘night’ caught my attention. I signed up especially because it is being held at night.”
Spreading awareness
Poornima’s friend Lekshmi, a news presenter with a local television channel, says she feels relatively safer in Thiruvananthapuram than in other places but the idea of a getting a t-shirt from Tracs excited her.
“As someone who uses all public modes of transport, I am yet to feel unsafe. But perhaps I have just been lucky and this will help spread awareness on the issue of women’s safety,” she says, adding that there were other factors that drew her to participate. “A night run means respite from the heat. I have been training less than a week but I can already feel my stamina improving.”
For those who are reluctant to sign up, thinking the distance has to be covered like a professional, Poornima offers advice.
“I was afraid too. But we had a few training sessions by members from Tracs where they said we could each do it at our own pace. New participants are encouraged to walk-run their way through the lap. I planned to go only for weekend training sessions but my first run was so refreshing that I made it to some more on weekdays too. I think I can cover the route now.” Lekshmi and Poornima try to squeeze in at least a half hour to run every day.
One of Tracs’ first members Karthy Vasudevan is beaming at the thought of such an event being held in her city. Now based in Dubai, the sales professional has regularly participated in the Dubai and Sharjah women’s runs. “I am hoping Thiruvananthapuram too becomes as safe so that we don’t have restrictions on timings and activities, and women can go about without fear or attracting attention. I run with Tracs whenever I am back home.”
NS Abhaya Kumar, founder of Tracs, says that they are hoping to make WOW Run an annual event. “The night run is symbolic of freedom, it is a celebration of the same, and to hold it in the heart of the city is a message in itself,” he explains.
WOW RUN
* The 2 km run begins at 9 pm from University Stadium in Palayam.
* Fisheries Minister J Mercikutty Amma and Food Safety Commissioner Anupama IAS are the chief guests. Proceeds raised from tickets will go to Nirbhaya Shelter Home in the city. Tickets are priced at Rs 300.
* Spot registration is available.
* Participants get a Tracs t-shirt.
Contact: 9946599911
