Get, set, go…

Three categories in the run, impressive landmarks, facilities along the way and an expo. There's a lot happening at The Wipro Chennai Marathon 2013 scheduled for December 1

marathon

T he Wipro Chennai Marathon 2013 is all set to take off on December 1. One of the biggest running events will begin before the crack of dawn — 5 a.m. — and witness athletes, erstwhile couch potatoes and enthusiastic joggers take to the streets. Here’s a quick look at the run and related events.

The route

All the three categories in the run — full marathon, half marathon and the 10k run — start near the Indira Nagar MRTS station. While the runners of the full marathon will head to the war memorial and reach the finish point (Central Polytechnic campus opposite the Indira Nagar MRTS station) through IIT campus, those taking up the half marathon will arrive at the Kannagi Statue on the Marina and get to the finish point. The 10k runners will head to Andhra Mahila Sabha and reach the finish point. The race route does ample justice to the landmarks of Chennai — from the Madhya Kailash Temple and the Santhome church to the iconic lighthouse on the Marina and the beautiful Central Polytechnic campus, and runners can have the best tour of the city one can imagine!

Help at hand

Baggage check: Runners can leave a small bag (with no valuables) near the start point and pick it up after the run

Facilities: There are mobile toilets at the Start and Finish points, and public toilets (pay and use) along the race route

Aid stations: There are several points along the route with glucose, water, bananas, pain spray and volunteers

Getting there: The Indira Nagar MRTS station is close to the start line

Meeting points: Friends and family of the runners can watch and cheer them at the start point, along the route and at the designated spectator spots on the polytechnic campus at the end of the run.

The expo

The event kicks off with the TWCM Expo at Chennai Trade Center on November 30. Runners can pick up race bibs, goodie bag, clothes, shoes, and memorabilia. They can take photos at the Runner’s Wall. Visitors can get professional advice on BMI, have their gait analysed, and listen to discussions and talks on everything from training to nutrition. And that’s not all. Old shoes (cleaned and boxed with a label mentioning size and gender) can be donated as part of the Extra Miles programme. The shoes will reach deserving rural runners.

(For more information, visit >Wipro Chennai Marathon )