Get set to put on your running shoes as the city gears up to host its first ‘Half Marathon’ event this Sunday. Organised by Trivandrum Runners Club (TRaCs), the event will be held in categories based on the running distance – 21 km and 10 km.
For the half marathon (21 km), participants will start from Shanghumughom beach and run all the way to Thumba via Veli Boat House and back. For the 10-km run, the runners will begin at Shanghumughom beach, go up to Veli Boat House and return.
The half marathon race begins at 5 a.m. and the 10-km run starts at 5.30 a.m.
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“We have amongst ourselves various members who have participated in marathons in various Indian cities or abroad. We badly wanted the city to be on the Marathon map of India. We already have 300 registrations from across South India and are expecting to cross more than a 500,” says the president of TRaCs, N.S. Abhayakumar.
All those who finish the run or the marathon receive a timing certificate and a finishers medal.
“Each participant will have a timing chip that will calculate the time they took to complete the event, a first of its kind in any race in the city.” Stations that will provide water, energy drinks and refreshments will be set up along the route every two km.
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The valedictory function and prize giving ceremony is at Uday Suites at 7.30 a.m.
As Sunday is International Women’s Day, TRaCs has joined hands with Inner Wheel Club of Trivandrum - Blossom to mark the event and a fun run along the beach road will be held on the day at 7.30 a.m.
The half marathon and the 10-km run are TRaCs’ initiative to promote running as a healthy way of life.
Started in 2013 by Abhayakumar, Varghese Oommen and their friends, the club, which has now grown to 50, meets every Sunday morning at Kowdiar.
“One is not running just for health, but for fun too. We are promoting running in groups as there is safety in numbers, motivation, and one can share and receive tips from the more experienced runners in the group. Once you start running, you tend to get hooked.”
The group has been practising for this Sunday’s events for the past two months now by running all the way from Kowdiar to Thycaud and back.
To promote running as a lifestyle, TRaCs will be holding races in schools across the city.
“It will be a three-km race and the best and promising students from these schools will be mentored. We are planning an international marathon in December and these students will be a core group in that race.”