Cheers, claps, selfies, smiles… the finishing line at Stanes School Grounds is buzzing. This is where they stagger across the finish line, and their equally jubilant family and friends click away their moments of glory.
The Coimbatore Marathon, organised by the Coimbatore Cancer Foundation is coming to a close.
The team of Karthik Kannan, V, Gokulraj.K, Ganapathy. M, K. Periamarudhu walk with their heads held high as they display their finish medals for the 10-km run. It’s the third time they are participating and they promise to come next year. Their advice — avoid junk foods, workout regularly, and stay active.
“It was overwhelming to see the huge turnout. It means that so many people are aware of fitness,” said a doctor who ran the half marathon (21 kms). “I followed a workout routine that included regular warm-up and jogging at Race Course. It is encouraging to see a mixed crowd of all age groups. I made so many new friends,” she smiles.
First-time runner M. Thareef Rahman, a class VII student, is elated and said the pacers at every turn encouraged him. “They said ‘you can do it’ and it motivated me to finish the run,” he says. His friend Nirmal Kumar. J found the hydration points very useful. “When I felt tired in the last 2-km leg of the run I quickly grabbed an energy drink from the counter, refreshed myself, and made it to the finish line.”
Families turned up and participated as a team. Sagunthala. A, who has run marathons in the past ensured that her daughter Guhanya stayed away from junk food. “It’s an opportunity to make them understand about eating healthy,” she says. Another parent, Anushuya. S trained her daughter Pradashina to exercise regularly prior to the event and hopes to include it in her regular routine.
Many parents said the event gave the children an opportunity to get out and soak in the sunshine.
“It’s a good break for the children who are glued to the TV sets. They are also running for a cause of creating awareness on cancer. It makes them socially responsible,” says C. Sujithra. Her son C. Pranav completed his 5-km run in 28 minutes.
“It was a great first time experience,” says S. Vaibhav, content writer . “I had only run short distances back in school and running 5k was a test. I was sweating a fair bit but was determined to finish. The public support along the route game me the energy. Seeing older people participate in the event was encouraging too. It drives home the message that running/walking should become a part of daily life for a healthy you,” he says.
Closer to finish time, a team of girls from GKNM hospitals wave to the crowd, thrilled with the experience. The atmosphere is energetic. And, they are determined to better their record next time!
It was a happy moment for me to flag off the event. I also participated and finished the 5-km run. I used to run regularly in college. It was an opportunity after a long break. Many families participated as a team. Such events drive home the message of fitness and also create awareness.
Mayor P. Rajkumar
