Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

On your mark, get set, go...

The Chennai Marathon is back. PRINCE FREDERICK on what makes it special this year

FUN RUN At last year's Chennai Marathon

"Chennai Marathon has become a brand and it pays to hitch your wagon to it and that is why we are once again title sponsors of the event," says S. P. Jayathan, senior vice-president, Temenos, a multinational company that makes software for banks.

Not very long ago, it was ridiculous to compare the Chennai marathon with the Mumbai version. With corporate cash flowing in more freely and a firmament of Bollywood stars presiding over its event, Mumbai sprinted ahead while Chennai was nowhere in sight.

But now the gap has reduced. The reasons that give Mumbai marathon more visibility are the ones that made last year's event in Chennai, if not as spectacular, definitely something to remember.

Calendar event

Dr. R. Shyamsundar, district governor, Rotary International District 3230, which organises the event, scoffs at such comparisons with Mumbai. "We are competing with ourselves and have started preparations much in advance this year (the event called "Chennai-ites' Run For Peace" is taking place on February 5)."

Chennai Marathon's publicity wing (most of them Rotractors) is off to a quicker start - they have already begun distributing car stickers and bookmarks that announce the event. Hoardings also announce the city's calendar event.

However, this year's "product" is not yet ready as some of its aspects are still under discussion. But, from whatever is visible of it, it's clear the organisers are focussed on eliminating problems that cropped up last year.

To avoid last year's "pell-mell" situation, the runs will be flagged off at regular intervals. Different routes (subject to approval by the city police) have been chalked out for the secondary runs.

The main events follow the same route — the full-marathon for men (42.2 km) will repeat the loop from Anna Square to Velankkani Church twice and the half marathon for women (21.1 km) will be an Anna Sqaure-to-Velankkani Church-and-back affair. Six events that require the participants to run five km will take a route that begins at Anna Square, crosses over to Iron Bridge, turns left towards Mount Road, crosses Gymkhana Club, enters TV Station Road and comes back.

Celebrities and chief executive officers will occupy a podium and flag off the events from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., before flexing their limbs for the one-km `Celebrities and CEOs Run' (by invitation only). This will mostly be, if last year is anything to go by, a walk or a jog from Anna Square to Labour Statue to the road near the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk where their cars will be parked.

Last year's marathon did not deliver the GPS tracking system (actually, something close to it) it promised. "This year, we have approached those who have been providing the facility for the Mumbai marathon," says P. Srinivasan, chairman, Chennai Marathon.

"We want to raise the standard by roping in more international runners (who will serve as pace-setters). We have already written to 150 of them," says Srinivasan. If school students register through their institutions, their participation fee would be waived. Radio Mirchi will report the event live.

Registration forms can be picked up at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), Poonamallee High Road; SS Diabetes Centre, 26 B, Chamiers Road, Nandanam Extension; Kesari Illam, 76, Nungambakkam High Road; Abirami Mega Mall - Purasawalkam; Bosotto's — Anna Salai and Nungambakkam; Nuts & Spices — Adyar, T. Nagar, Anna Nagar and Nungambakkam; INSTA-Shop 4, I Floor, Alsa Mall, Egmore; and Spencer's Plaza (Sakhi-F111, Landmark, Arrow-S119, Wrangler-F48, Levis-G44, Subway, Nike-G174). You can register online at chennaimarathon.org (another improvement on last year. Credit card registration is possible).

Filled in forms have to be sent to Infonet Asia Pvt. Ltd., New No. 74, Swamy Naicken Street, Chintadripet.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail