Coimbatore is set for the second edition of The Vodafone Coimbatore Marathon to be conducted by Coimbatore Cancer Foundation on Sunday, October 5. Last year, nearly 8,300 runners ran the streets of the city and helped spread awareness on cancer. This year, the event promises to be bigger and better.
For those wanting to participate in such an event for the first time, and find the prospect daunting, there is help at hand. Coimbatore Runners will address the apprehensions and ensure that people are provided with a friendly and focused training programme to help them succeed in their maiden effort.
Coimbatore Runners is a free, non profit, community based recreational running group. It announces three programmes:
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Couch to 5 km Run
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These training programmes are tailor-made to suit the physical fitness levels of all kinds of aspiring runners. The 10-week programme starts with a low intensity regime and gradually builds up towards the race day.
The training programmes will commence on July 29 and will be conducted around Race Course. Coimbatore runners train five days a week. The Saturday sessions start at 6.30 a.m. and are specially for beginners. Each workout is preceded by a gentle warm up programme.
There will also be post run stretches. The objective of these programmes is to help the runners to complete their chosen distance on race day. The emphasis is on completing the distance comfortably, not on any time or speed related criteria.
The lead trainers from Coimbatore Runners who will anchor the sessions are themselves quite recent to running. They have all migrated from no exercise to running marathons!
Harinath Babu, who started running two years ago, will lead the Couch to 5 km Run/Walk programme. This year he also looks forward to coaching his wife and kid. Manjunath, who started running last year, has blossomed into a seasoned marathoner; He will lead the couch to 5 km Run programme. Saravana, who took to running a little over a year ago, also recently completed the 10x10 challenge, i.e. running 10 km in 10 consecutive days. He will lead the Couch to 10 km Run programme.
Forging bonds
Coimbatore Runners, through its regular runs, has not only helped people realise their dream of completing their first marathon but also left a positive impact in their lives. Members have cut down on their diabetic / BP medication, and have also lost weight.
Running also serves to bring people from different walks of life together. Initiated runners can also join these regular runs and benefit. Running a marathon can change the way you look at life. Sign up for the free training programme with Coimbatore Runners. To know more: email: coimbatorerunners
@gmail.com.