Why do I (Mumbaikar) run Delhi Half Marathon?

Why do I (Mumbaikar) run Delhi Half Marathon?

Delhi is 1,500 Kms away from Mumbai. It takes an over-priced flight or long chugging 17+ hours long train journey to reach there in time for the weekend race. While early 20 degrees brings out mufflers, gloves and shawls in Mumbaikars; race-day Delhi temperature (used to be) is a chilly sub 15 degree. Rolling hills of Pune, Green hamlets of Vasai Virar, Plain roads of Ahmedabad, loops of BKC and more; there are so many half marathons in and around MMR region. So, it is costlier, colder and maybe not even a unique route at Delhi. Then why should someone with a long-standing full marathon legacy in Mumbai participate in this half marathon at all? And for over 16 years, really?? Why??

Do I travel to Delhi for fun and add a half-marathon run or am I travelling for half-marathon run and adding some fun? May-be a bit of both. In this Navratri season, let me share my nine reasons that have made me religiously tow this path, year after year. And don’t be surprised if most of them have nothing much to do about running in the 1^st place.

A) Little Nothings: Growing up my Nana-Nani Ji used to stay a stone-throw distance away from our house. I have fond memories of spending time in his garden and talking about little nothings as a kid. But then boarding school and work happened. Luckily, they moved base to Delhi from Darbhanga. This 2-day ritual with them takes me metaphorically back to the same Darbhanga garden with the roles reversed.  

B) Camaraderie: Running might be a solo sport but 21Km is the perfect distance for a person with some sporting pedigree to soak into this experience. As such, every year, there has been at least someone from my extended family or friend circle who has taken the plunge in endurance sport with Delhi Marathon. So more than relishing personal finish, the high is in knowing the experience of novice runners.

C) Goosebumps: Not one road in the country can match up to the high of moving on Kartavya Path from India Gate towards Rashtrapati Bhavan under the steely glare of Neta Ji Subhash Chandra Bose. Imagining the rhythm of immaculately dressed soldiers, buzz of myriad creative tableaus, sheer might of jets ahead led by PVC awardees in their open-top Jeep. For couple of hours, it is an honor to truly soak in the spirit of our nation.

                                                 

D) Witnessing Change: Since those formative days of this race, the main sponsor has changed two times, the route has changed few times, the medal construct has changed, the start point has changed, the event month has changed and now even the weather has changed. Not only have the organizers absorbed these changes with aplomb, but they have also managed to retain the same ethos from initial years.

E) Many First Moments: First ever Half Marathon for me, First sub-2 for me, First run for Khushboo after Karun was born, First Procam pacing by Khushboo, First sub 1:50 pacing for Khushboo, First loss to Khushboo in a road-race, First drawing of Karun making it to the social page of event website, First road-race post covid. Each one of them could warrant a separate note by themselves. Together, they complete the big picture.

F) Living-the-Past: Parathe waali gali, Red fort, back to DPS RK Puram compound (& New Millennium Boy’s Hostel), Qutub Minar, Humanyun’s Tomb, Sarojini Nagar Market, PVR Complex in Vasant Kunj, Ansal Plaza in South Extension, Lotus Temple and Kalka Devi, Glitzy malls of Gurgaon. These annual Delhi trips have also been about once again co-living and sharing my own past with my now eight-year-old son. 

                                               

     G) Spicy Feast: Back in the day, even though my Nana ji never ate non-vegetarian food, he took great pride in procuring the same for his family and especially me and my brother, when we came back to Darbhanga on our annual holidays from our boarding schools. Today, he is not around, and Nani has given up non-vegetarian food. However, my uncle and Nani ji ensure that every run is followed by the same spicy non-vegetarian feast.

      H) T Shirt Spectrum: Unlike the goodie bags, Team Procam have continued giving T-shirts at Delhi run even though they stopped briefly in Mumbai and since then have unfortunately initiated singlets for men at Mumbai. But at Delhi, not just have they continued giving T-shirts, these are of high quality and fluorescent bright colors can easily make up the entire spectrum of colors needed for these Navratri Days.

      I) Ambassador Fan Club: In Indian road races, outstation runners’ queue in on Saturday before race-day for bib collection. At Delhi, it is an absolute honor for sports fans to share room (literally bump shoulders) with global legends on-board as their brand ambassadors on this day. This includes Ashton Eaton, Valarie Allman, Haile Gebrselassie, Sanya Richard, Kenenisa Bekele, Fauja Singh, Paula Radclifee, Donovan Bailey and David Rudisha.

By being around for as long as this has been, somewhere the lines between this race and personal life have slowly blurred away with one seamlessly merging into the other. Today, it is difficult to look at either of them in isolation. Though, this takes nothing away from the actual run which has over the years given me my multiple Personal Bests (PB) and continues to be my best bet for many more PBs in the future. What more, this also helps me get back into stride as my opening race for my running season. Here’s, wishing the very best to the Team Procam for the upcoming milestone 20^th edition of this marquee event. And to all the runners, see you at the start line!! Happy Running!!

                                                        

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