Much more than just running

Registrations have just been thrown open for Coimbatore’s marquee running event. Lace up your shoes, get set, go…

Sri Hari was off the mark and the first to register for the Coimbatore Marathon this year. He says he was lurking around the website for four days and when the registrations went live, he made his move. Besides his love for running, he also wanted the special bib number ‘99999’ which he got by making an extra donation to CCF.

Sri Hari is but one of the thousands who are eagerly awaiting the seventh edition of the city’s biggest running event. Last year more than 15, 000 people registered for it.

“It is not just the people in the city. The Marquee event is sought after by runners outside Coimbatore too,” says S Balaji, a member of the organising committee. “We take pride in saying that many look up to us as the standard in organising running events. Further, the organising team comprises of runners who travel to various other events, in India as well as outside of it, and bring in best practices from there.”

Race director Ramesh Ponnuswamy

Race director Ramesh Ponnuswamy  
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives

Expanding on this, Balaji says that they have enhanced the aid stations, introduced pacers and constantly improved the quality of medals. Their communication with the runners and attention to other nuts and bolts of the Marathon has improved the event manifold. “Even when it comes to breakfast, others have learnt from us,” quips Balaji.

As has been the practice in the last couple of years, this year too Coimbatore Runners, (an informal group of passionate and recreational runners who run for a healthy life and want to spread the good health among the public), will hold its “Running Plus”programme for the people.

Through these initiatives, it will introduce the ABC of recreational running for beginners. These programs will reach out to the people with useful information on the benefits of running, injury-free running, the importance of stretching and strengthening and so on. “We organise two to three programmes at least before the marathon and we are currently fine tuning our plans,” is all that Balaji will say.

The extra mile

  • The theme this year is “We are More”, which will highlight the deeper purpose of raising funds for Coimbatore Cancer Foundation for prevention and treatments.
  • It will also highlight the benefits of keeping good health through running, and how the event enhances the city’s profile.

Coimbatore Runners has encouraged the formation of several running groups across the city including those in Kovaipudur, Sai Baba Colony, Thudiyalur, Saravanampatti, Race Course, GV Residency, Singanallur, and Codissia.

There are many runners who have taken up to regular running only after the Coimbatore Marathon started in 2013 and Ramesh Ponnusami, Director Coimbatore Marathon says, the event has evolved into a lot more than just about being runners.

Info you can use

  • Date: Sunday, 6th October 2019
  • Event categories: Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10 km Run and the 5 km (Run/Walk)
  • For details and registeration visit www.coimbatoremarathon
  • .com
  • Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for latest updates, inspirational stories and much more.

“We have committed to challenging our limits to stay fit and also make a difference by our support to Coimbatore Cancer Foundation in its efforts to spread awareness of Cancer among the masses. Together we celebrated the city, achieved our personal bests, went further for the cause, made better choices, took pride and inspired many to take up fitness.”

The three key stakeholders for Coimbatore Marathon are the runners, the cause and the city itself, reiterates Ramesh. “For this edition, we are all set to be more than what we were.”

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