The Old and the Young Sweat It out at the Bengaluru Marathon

The Bengaluru Marathon was abuzz with activity after over 14,000 runners participated in the event.

The fourth edition of the Bengaluru Marathon, held on Sunday, 15 October, was a charismatic event. And it had everything – drama, camaraderie, heroism.

The Kanteerva Stadium in Bengaluru looked like a cauldron. Over 14,000 people participated at the event.

The mega-sporting event turned out to be an extravagant show, with drummers playing at the entrance, colourful banners at every corner, and the DJ spinning everybody to his upbeat music!

The atmosphere kept the participants up and running.

The stadium was abuzz with activity. While volunteers stood near the finish line with shiny medals, physiotherapists occupied the space behind the podium to help the athletes in pain.

The USP of the run was the delicious breakfast that was served to all the participants. The organisers ensured the use of eco-friendly cutlery for the same.

Participants from all age groups put their best foot forward – men with grey hair, middle-aged mothers, and college students.

“Just because I have grey hair, people came and asked me if I need a stretcher, ” 60-year-old marathon participant Pankaj Rai said.

Running is never about winning or losing. It is about moving forward and completing the race. Most of the runners managed to reach the finish line. As he gulped down an energy drink, Ashwin, one of the runners, said, “It is definitely worth the effort.”

“Completing these long runs involves a lot of training, right from following a diet to regular exercising,” said Rahul, who was also participating in the marathon.

For many, running is a way of life. Kavitha Reddy, a 43-year-old mother of two, had practised rigorously for the full marathon. “I like doing things for myself and hence, I run for myself. Completing a race is like finishing a cup of coffee. It feels much nicer after its done,” she said.

Several dance performances were lined up after the event. Some participants joined the troop to shake a leg. Others simply lay down on the track to ease their pain.

Bengaluru boasts of having one of the largest community of runners in the country. With more folks turning up for such marathons, it is poised to become the torchbearers of healthy living.

The event started off with the full marathon (42.195 kilometres), and then the half marathon (21.019 km), followed by the ‘Hope Run’. 

The run was certified by Association of International Marathons (AIMS) after considering aspects like route, distance, and gradience. The route encompassed areas like Cubbon Park, Bal Bhavan, Tennis Club, and Kamaraja Road.

The winners in the elite category bagged prize money of Rs 1 lakh each. The second and third place winners were awarded Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000. The half marathon winners got a cash award of Rs 50,000.

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