The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Warming up for the big event

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Sunday, Aug 24, 2008
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Warming up for the big event

Staff Reporter

Executives get set for Marg Give Life Chennai Marathon

— Photo: R. Ragu

Gearing up: Corporate executives at the warm up session for Marg Give Life Chennai Marathon in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: “Give Life Marathon idhu ellor Vaazhvum Maarathaan…” This is Marg Give Life Chennai Marathon’s anthem. Saturday morning witnessed executives from several corporates taking part in a warm up session for the marathon that is slated for August 31.

The Anna University ground was the venue where the university’s sports director J.P.Sukumar gave them pointers on how to run. Landing on the heel first and then on the ball of the toe, he said was the best way to run.

“Start at your own pace and do not get carried away by your neighbour’s speed. As far as possible go for normal breathing procedure. There is no harm in breathing through the mouth,” he said. Sporting track suits, people including G.K.R Reddy, CEO of Marg, Father Jegath Gaspar Raj of Give Life and Pandiarajan of MaFoi, stretched themselves and then ran a 200-metre-dash. Member of Parliament Kanimozhi, who flagged off the run, said that till Saturday close to 18,000 persons had registered for the marathon.

Father Gaspar Raj said that torch runs had been organised at Kanyakumari, Rameswaram and Ooty. “The sports fraternity of Tamil Nadu has taken the responsibility of the rural runs, which helps to bring local unsung heroes to the forefront.”

The first two lines of the Marg Give Life Chennai Marathon anthem have been penned by Father Gasper and the rest have been written by Ravi Solomon and whetted by Ms. Kanimozhi. Music has been set by Paul Jacob.

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