Come cheer us and join the spirit
Posted by Gul Panag on January 16th, 2010This is the piece I wrote for Bombay Times, carried on saturday 16th Jan
Why run when you can sleep?
Is a question I get asked a lot everytime I return from a morning run. Because it’s the best part of my day, because it gives me a high that lasts the whole day.Now imagine the rush of running with thousands, others all feeling the same way- the StandardChartered Mumbai Marathon. It’s by far the most positively charged, happy environment I have ever been part of.
I have been associated with this event from it’s very first year, running 21k each year. And evey year I run to raise awareness for the Shradha Charitable Trust: an organisation that rehabilitates young adults. 21 km is a lot, how do I do it ,people ask. The first time I ran in 2004, I had no idea either. While I was a regular runner, 21 was a long way indeed.On the event day, once I started running,i just went on and on. Sure I was tired and wanted to stop, however after the first 7km , I conquered my mind and continued. The thousands gathered on the road side cheered us all on, each runner encouraging the other. And when I finished, I trully understood what it felt like to be Shah Rukh Khan! I felt I could do anything!
The event has grown immensely over the years, I have witnessed first hand the growing Tsunami of runners at the starting point. All most every body runs for a cause either charity or something personal. And everybody feels like a winner. From those who complete 21 km in 1 hr 20 min to those who take 3 hrs. Because it’s about the spirit.
This year again I will be running for Shraddha and once again 21 km , but this time I will be running in a Gold Label Marathon, one of only 12 in the world. And this time I will run with a record 38000 other participants! Can’t wait!
Come cheer us and join the spirtit!
You too can help me raise funds for Shraddha through United Way: www.gulpanag.net/shraddha.php
January 16th, 2010 at 10:30 am
God bless you Gul. I plan to run in the 2011 marathon. I hope I will be able to make myself fit for that and be able to do 1% of what you are doing for society.
Lovely article by the way, inspired me, motivated me