KGM
Half Marathon
After participating in the Kathgodam Half
Marathon on 26th July I reached back Delhi on Monday early morning. It was the first marathon arranged at
Kathgodam. I clocked 2:34 hrs. I am running a half marathon after a gap of 8 months
viz; after the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 0n 23.11.2014. This was the first
marathon I ran after joining the Sunday run club. I gratefully acknowledge the
valuable tips, encouragement and piecemeal coaching I got from my young and loving
friends of SRC. Big Marathon season starts now beginning with Airtel Hyderabad
Marathon In August followed by Shriram Marathon at Bangalore, ADHM Delhi, Beach
Marathon Goa, Wipro Marathon Chennai culminating with the prestigious Standard
Chartered Marathon at Mumbai. I thought
of participating in the Indore Half Marathon during February, but by the time I
came to know about that, no train tickets were available.
I got introduced with several runners most of
them youngsters. I met an elderly looking person and got introduced. When he
told his age, I was surprised (-) and when I disclosed my age he also got
surprised (+). As per mathematical terms both surprises crossed and ultimately
there was no surprise. In fact that elderly looking person was one year younger
to me. Moreover, he was participating in 5K. Thus I was the senior most person
participated in the KGHM. I lavishly showered love, affection and appreciation
on the youngsters. Some of them were so excited that they wanted photo session
with their senior colleague and I happily agreed. I could encourage, motivate
and inspire few teenagers and will continue to do once they come to my FB.
(Many people are not only miser in spending money but also in sparing unlimited
resources like love, affection , regards, appreciation, compassion, likes
etc. Even during cultural programmes of
children, somebody has to appeal to the audience to clap. Still some of them
will clap only when their children perform on the stage)
Contrary to popular perception, whether was
not good at Kathgodam. On Saturday while going to Kathgodam, some passengers
were wearing sweater, so I thought that weather will be cool. On Saturday night
there was thundershower and Sunday early morning it was looking very pleasant. Though the scheduled starting time was 6.00
AM, it actually started at 7.10 AM. For the first 10-15 minutes it was alright,
running on the picturesque valley in the midst of paddy fields, cane plantation
on one side and majestic teakwood trees and pine trees on the other side of the
road. After some time the sunshine
become bright and it was scorching heat. My synonym (Or counterpart?) Sun did
not show any mercy to me and other co runners. It was partly my mistake also as
I did not have a word with him earlier.
The worst was waiting to happen. Runners were provided with plain water only
and no energy drinks except one small bottle at half way stage. After about one hour water was also exhausted
and no volunteers were seen on the route. It was a grueling run under the sweltering
sun without any arrangement for refueling. Unable to bear the heat and humidity
many runners had removed their T shirts. Runners were drenched in sweat. One
Mexican couple who came with lot of enthusiasm left the run half way due to
heat and no water. Many others also may not have completed the
race. If the organizers had financial
constraints, they could have avoided providing T shirt and breakfast but they
should have made proper arrangements during the running as runners cannot carry
water, energy drinks and snacks. There was no medical facility also.
Such lack of facilities creates a bad
impression with the runners and many of them will think twice before
registering for subsequent marathons. It
is true that this was a debut marathon for Kathgodam, there was no sponsorship
and they had limited resources but one cannot compromise on basic facilities. Runners will also be sceptical to join any new
marathon and tries to stick to the established ones only which is not in the
interest of sports and athletics in the country. We lament about the lack of facilities and
insensitive attitude of bureaucracy, Government and politicians towards the sports
especially athletics but if we the running community treat our runners and
athletes in this shabby manner who else will come to our support? We should put our own house in order and once
this is done, help, support, recognition, reward etc will automatically come
from other quarters.
I appeal to the organizers to take this in
the proper perspective and as a positive criticism in the interest of runners
and organizers of future marathons. What is done cannot be undone and what is
undone cannot be done. Let us not find
excuses for not doing the things. We
Indians have an uncanny knack of searching for scapegoats and “Bahana” (Excuse)
and also try to invent and fabricate “Bahana”. There is no point in concealing
the truth and window dressing our weaknesses and shortcomings. People who admit the mistake can correct and
improve and those who do not admit the mistake (There are lot many) will go
down the ladder. The least the organizers can do is to ensure that such lapses
will not recur in future. I hope they organizers will take a pledge to remove
all these shortcomings in the next edition so that participants will hail KGHM
as one of the best organized half Marathons in the country. Sponsorship will
follow suit. However, if the organizers think that they will organize better
after getting the sponsorship, they may never get a sponsorship as companies
would like to sponsor a well managed event and nobody would like to support a
badly managed one.
Organizers are also requested to conduct the
next edition at a more appropriate time having congenial climate instead of during
hot and humid weather. They should also advance the starting time to 5.30 AM or
latest by 6.00 AM
Let us all jointly try to improve the standard of sports in the
country and make all out efforts to make India a sporting power in the years to
come. There is no dearth of talent in
the country the need of the hour is to unearth, nurture and develop those
talents. We can reach the pinnacles of
glory with 4 Ds (Devotion, Dedication, Determination and Discipline) and 4 Ss
(Speed, Skill, Stamina and sportsman spirit)
Let us pray and work for a glorious future
for Indian sports.
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