Physically challenged people took to the marathon organised in the city on Sunday in bigger numbers than before.
Organisers of the second Wipro Chennai Marathon said at least 14 blade runners, eight persons undergoing rehabilitation after spinal injuries, a group of visually impaired school students and a team of special students were among the over 10,000 participants. Some of the runners carried the banner “Running for Ability”.
The number of blade runners, amputees who run with prosthetic support, was 14 this year compared to eight who ran last year.
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Among the participants on Sunday was 39-year-old Devender Pal Singh, a Kargil War hero who took to marathon running after losing one of his limbs in 1999. He helped another physically challenged person, 18-year-old Gokul, get across the finish line. “He reminds me of what I was 20 years ago. I want him to win. Today, when I held his hand as he finished his race, he said it was like his father holding him. I cannot get a better gift than this.”
Recalling his struggle, Mr. Singh, a former major in the Army who quit after the injury, said, “It was a rebirth of sorts when a doctor in the battlefield revived me after the mortar bombing. But when they told me my leg has to be amputated, I took it as a challenge not to lead a handicapped life.” Ten years after the injury, Mr. Singh took up running when he saw a Delhi marathon advertisement. The Chennai Marathon on Sunday was the tenth event for Mr. Singh.