It is 4.30am at Napier bridge and not less than 3,000 individuals are ready behind the beginning line of the Decathlon 10k run on May 7. Adrenaline-filled chatter punctuates the loud drum beats. Under a moonlit sky, I stand behind pacers holding the 70-minute flag, praying that my toes don’t get stomped on. stamped on. The least I need to do is to start the run injury-free.
The race is flagged off at 5.06am. One hour and 16 minutes later, I’ve accomplished my second-ever timed run. Three hundred metres later, I cross the end line into Besant Nagar’s Olcott School. “Medals are over. Come next week. Take a 360 degree selfie video though,” I’m advised.
The video line stretches not less than 400 metres and has extra individuals than I noticed at first line. The photograph cubicles with ‘finisher’ tags even have lengthy queues. The Internet group strongly believes within the axiom “pics or it didn’t happen,” so after I lastly get mine, I publish on-line “10K done”.
Vijayalakshmi Swaminathan, founder, UNIS, a operating group in Chennai, says that this must publish on social media has been an vital motive for the rise of the operating group within the metropolis. “People want to talk about the fact that they are running now. Many organisations are conducting small runs — usually between three and 10 kilometres — and providing medals and goodies. These have also attracted people to the sport,”says Viji, as she is thought within the circle.
On a fast drive by any arterial street within the metropolis earlier than 6am you’ll spot a number of runners with swanky sports activities watches, footwear, and headphones, all whereas huffing previous quiet walkers earlier than Chennai’s searing warmth units in. Seasoned runners are satisfied that the numbers are solely set to extend.
How to start operating? Experts reply
Running helps cardiovascular well being and boosts psychological well being.
| Video Credit:
Sanjana Ganesh
Halfway there
“About 15 years ago, five of us, began running on the roads because we grew tired of the treadmill at our gym. At that time, our route was limited as we ran from one lamppost to the other on Besant Nagar beach,” says Rekha Sudarsan, founder-member of Dream Runners.
When neighbours and pals heard in regards to the group, they joined too. “This is how Dream Runners began. We now have 12 chapters with 600 members in total in areas including Anna Nagar, OMR, Velachery, Medavakkam and T Nagar” she says.
Rekha believes that many individuals have now taken to operating as a result of there may be numerous literature in regards to the sport now. “People understand how to supplement the activity with weight training, hydrate adequately and remain consistent,” she says. She provides that the Chennai Corporation has made a number of roads car-free till 6am, encouraging extra individuals to stroll or run outdoors within the mornings.
Naga Sayeenathan who runs with Pettai Rappers, one of many 18 chapters of Chennai Runners, attributes the expansion of operating to the proliferation of operating communities which assist individuals obtain fundamental consistency. Each of the chapters of those communities are divided area-wise.
The Alwarpet chapter which Naga is a part of is their oldest and has round 119 runners who step out 4 days every week. He provides that the rise within the variety of marathons and runs repeatedly performed within the metropolis has additionally aided in creating curiosity within the sport.
The two main marathons within the metropolis — the Chennai marathon performed by Chennai Runners and the Dream Runners Half Marathon — have every seen radical progress since inception.
Dr Lakshmi Sundar, president, Chennai Runners, says that their organisation has performed 11 editions of the marathon thus far. “The first edition held in 2012 saw around 6,000 participants; the fifth had around 12,000. Our most recent one in 2023 saw 25,000 people. There has been an exponential rise in the number of registrations for half and full marathons in the latest edition. It was also the year where we saw the largest contingent of women participants in the full marathon category,” she says.
Rekha from Dream Runnerssays that rookies who want to run would possibly discover the game daunting. However, a number of communities are welcoming new comers and have detailed mentorship programmes for novice runners to construct consistency, endurance and tempo. These classes normally go on for about one-and-a- half hours.
Deepak A Chari (58), is practising to participate in his first 5 kilometre run in 40 years, he says. “The Couch to 5k programme by Chennai Runners lets us walk, run and jog at our own pace. Senior runners mentor us through the process,” he says. There is deal with weight loss program — a balanced meal with a portion of protein, fibre and carbohydrates. They additionally make sure that muscle constructing takes place for holistic health with inclusions of yoga as a part of their coaching.
“Weight loss is only a part of the process now,” says Lakshmi. She says that a number of first-timers ask if being over weight is an obstacle to operating.
“That is not so. I had body image issues when I began. This changed when I began running but most importantly, I discovered that I could breathe better. Running improves cardiovascular health and helps release endorphins, flooding the mind with happy chemicals.”
She provides that when individuals be a part of operating teams, they find yourself turning into half of a giant group. “Our members end up volunteering together. Around 300 runners from our team are certified in providing first aid, helpful during accidents. The community also ends up becoming a place where people find friends,” she provides.
Running just isn’t all about train. It can also be in regards to the conversations and having fun with the morning solar or the cool night breeze, says Rekha. She provides that it additionally turns into addictive. “People want to set new benchmarks for themselves and cross new distances.”
She has just one piece of recommendation for many who need to start — “Trust the process because anyone can run.”
Hit the street
Chennai’s operating teams have chapters in numerous elements of the town. To be a part of, write to them or contact the chapter heads at:
chennairunners.in
dreamrunners.in
Some locations that runners frequent are Marina seaside, Besant Nagar seaside, Anna Nagar Tower Park, YMCA, Nehru Stadium and Anna Salai.
The subsequent greatest operating occasions within the metropolis embody the Dream Runners Half Marathon on July 16 and the Kalaignar Memorial International Marathon on August 6.
Source: www.thehindu.com