Thousands of people from the city and outside turn up to run the Coimbatore Marathon. The buzz has begun ever since the registrations for the same were thrown open. While there are no early bird prizes, it is interesting to know who are the first of the 200 who have already registered.
Runner Ajay Varma
Ajay Varma, 42: My mirror and the Coimbatore Marathon is responsible for my waistline reducing from 36 inches to 30 inches! I hated looking at my paunch. As part of my job, I have to meet so many people and I wanted to be fit. I shifted to this city six years ago and joined the Coimbatore Runners almost immediately. While, in the first edition of the run in 2014, I did the 5K, I later upgraded to the 10K and the half marathons. From then to now, I have run 10 full marathons, five Ultras, and a dozen half marathons. I ran the 87 km in South Africa at the Comrades in 2017. My next big run is the BMW Berlin Full Marathon on September 16. And I will be back for our city run.
Runner Srihari Balakrishnan
Srihari Balakrishnan, 40: I was looking to get fit and began running seriously only last year in the Coimbatore Marathon. So, as soon as the information appeared in our WhatsApp group about the registrations being opened, I jumped right in. I ran the 21K last year, though people thought I should start with a 5K or a 10K. I finished and I shall be doing the 21K again this year. I have subsequently run the Trail Marathon at Chettipalayam, the Go Heritage one at Lovedale and the Tiruppur Marathon. We have a great running team at Codissia and we meet thrice a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This time I have a special bib that has my hotel’s name on it. I paid extra for it but it is for a good cause. So look out for Orbis Hotel, 99999. My hotel is also going to offer some very attractive deals for runners who are participating in the Coimbatore Marathon.
Runner Hussain Guru
Hussain Guru, 37 : I used to run at the Nehru Stadium before I learnt about the Coimbatore Marathon. I joined the runners four years ago and have steadily improved my timing. I started with the 10K and now I do the 21K. I can’t express in words what running feels like to me! I just love it and I hope to continue at every opportunity. I do endurance training, strength training and Yoga to enable my running. When news of the registrations came out in our running group, I immediately signed up. I enjoy running every year with the new runners, as I can share my enthusiasm with them and encourage them. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays are my run days and I join any of the many running groups in the city. Running together is wonderful and there is nothing I enjoy more.
Runner K. Vijayakarthikeyan
Karthikeyan Vijayakumar, 35 I have been running for the last 14 years (I have run in more than 40 organised half marathons). Though it has been a while since I ran at an organised event, I run regularly with friends. Though I am based in Chennai now, Coimbatore is my home town. How can I pass up a chance to run along the familiar routes and finish at the school grounds (Stanes) where I spent some wonderful years? I know the weather in the city is going to be perfect for the event. When I see the honest effort put in by the organisers who are runners themselves in order to give the city run a soul, I could not help registering.
Runner S. Sounderaraj
S Sounderaraj, 58: I registered really early this time before I changed my mind! I have run many 10K runs in and around Coimbatore (including at Annur, the Chettipalayam run and the one at Anamalai) since 2014. I enjoy running primarily because it allows me to be independent. I do not have to depend on anybody else. If I feel the urge to run, I just have to pull on my shoes and run. How fast I run, what distance I choose to go...it is all up to me. Fitness is a big part of it too. Recently I ran 10K at Coorg and won much appreciation for doing so at my age. This year is also special because I am going to run 21K. Before the Coimbatore Marathon, I will be running my first 21K at Hyderabad.
Info you can use
The sixth edition will be held on on October 7, 2018
Registration fee is ₹800 for 21.1K and 10K and ₹550 for 5K. Students get a discount of ₹100
Registrations to close on August 31, 2018 or earlier if the slots get filled. Register at
www.coimbatoremarathon.com
