Mumbai Mararthon 2010 - A Special One

Mumbai Marathon, a challenging event that this champion city eagerly looks forward to, finally took place on Sunday, 17th January 2010. Mumbai Marathon has always exhibited the unity of this city, be it runners, supporters or the spectators, all have come and supported the event and cheered it like a family affair.

This 7th edition event brought a major change in the route – the Marathon was rerouted via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Together the 6km Dream Run, 21km Half Marathon & 42km Full Marathon counted down to a participation of almost 40,000. (stats from the organizer’s website).

From last three years I’ve been running for my city “Mumbai”. This year it was made more special with the inclusion of Bandra–Worli sea link and also for the first time I was carrying a social message. Even though I was not completely prepared this year, but my crazy heart was confident that I would do it.

I met my colleague Rajesh @ Kandivli railway station; he was participating in the Marathon for the first time. During our journey in the train i.e. around 05:30 AM, a guy sitting opposite to me enquired about the race details; when we informed him abt the trail, he suggested checking with fellow runners during the race if any one of them stays in Bandra, I was surprised & enquired Y SO? He immediately answered if you run with Bandraites; they will guide you through shortcuts since they know that route better. I couldn’t control laughing, but made sure to inform him that it’s a drawn trail which we have to follow & the same is monitored. We used the train journey in pinning our bib’s and timers. Soon we reached Marine Drive, started running towards Azad Maidean, yeah we had reached late, and the race had already begun. Ten minutes late; never mind let’s move was my call, with a goal to complete the marathon without any injury, especially since I’d be getting married in the coming April.

Our run to reach on time from the Marine Drive station had already warmed us. The initial first few miles were effortlessly covered and the weather was cold & pleasant. My watch calculated it to be 27oC, running and walking alternately about an hour we were just cruising for the next few miles until I started developing cramps in my left leg. Frequent stretching & the crazy heart ensured that I continue the race. Every mile had its own pleasure of applauds from our own mumbaikars, they kept us all going. Slogans like “Aal izz well”, “Run Mumbai Run”, “Ganpati Bappa Morya” kept us moving.

Slowly but steadily we kept moving, we reached the Worli end of the sea-link, the indicator hoarding confused us whether to take the sea link or move down the lane. Checking with few fellow runners we moved down the lane; I was still not sure if we were on the right track. Going few miles it was confirmed to be the right track, we reached Siddhivinayak; Rajesh decided to quit; waving him goodbye & taking Bappa’s blessings I moved on. Then came the moment I was excited about - the sea link, I had never used it before. Immediately I removed the cam and started clicking while moving steadily. It was a great moment but a difficult one due to unavailability of water points on it.

Soon I was off the sea link & back on our normal roads, can’t describe but it was a great feeling to be on the sea link. I took up speed & decided to sprint and run with full trot till the end. It was about 36o C, the heat was taking a toll on the body. I was now running on the same route from where I started, slowly & steadily I reached the finishing mile, I could see the clock showing the last minutes………………..I finished the race & completed it. Organizers greeting with HI FIVEs & Pat on the back made the I M POSSIBLE feeling inside me blossom. I was on Cloud Nine….collected the finishing medal. And a surprise visit from my fiancée did the icing on the cake. It was one of the days I will love to remember all my life.