Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Run for fun

RUNAWAY SUCCESS The marathoners are all smiles

Members of Chennai Runners cannot do without going for a run everyday. They form neighbourhood groups for this activity. But four times a year, all the groups get together for a big run. “These are quarterly events, undertaken along the ECR,” says V. P. Senthil Kumar, race director for the final run of the year, the 30-km ‘ECR11’, scheduled to take place on November 8, from MGM to Dolphin City and back. “We already have 250 registrations. The first ECR Run, which took place in 2007, had just 12 runners.”

The quarterly run, open to all, has slowly gained momentum. Here, the runners have to measure up to a higher standard.

“As each of these quarterlies precedes some popular international marathon, marathon-chasers in the group attach much importance to it,” says Senthil.

A shoe manufacturer who zips around the globe, Shahid has participated in high-profile international marathons, including those held in Paris, Torino, Ferrara, London, Chicago and Singapore. He is known to readjust his business schedules for these quarterly runs.

As he has decided to skip this year’s Singapore Marathon, Shahid treats the ECR11 as a warm-up to the Mumbai Marathon in January, 2010. The Mumbai Marathon is followed by the Auroville Marathon in February. This running event lets the participant experience the length and breadth of Auroville.

“Even non-marathoners will find the ECR11 a healthy get-together,” says Senthil. “There is a competitive event called Max Planck, which tests the participants’ core strength. The one who does core exercises for the longest period, wins. This will be followed by an open discussion on running. Senior runners will share tips on running and their marathon experiences.”

For details, visit chennairunners.com.

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