I got collared last week by some of the readers for adding up on the overdose of politics. I was told they have enough of that coming through TV and other websites. Not through GonetoRun. I accept the nudge and shall refrain from mixing politics with the pleasure of running.
Couple of weeks back it was a busy weekend at home. I was part of the organising team that put together this year's sports meet at our apartment complex. The scale was much bigger than ever and the event spanned across two days and multiple sports disciplines. Of course, it was aptly titled Gardenia Olympics.
The enthusiasm and the energy over those two days was palpable. The entire community - from grand parents to grand kids - were outdoors. Participation was phenomenal and competition was of..hmm..Olympian proportions.
5K run saw as many as 40 men, women, boys and girls at the start line with most of them making the finish as well. Highlight of the run was the final 200 m dash by a band of 3 boys pushing for a photo finish. That they had enough left in them to go the last 200 m on full throttle was amazing itself but the fact that these boys were between the age group of 7-8 years made it all the more awe inspiring. Phew!
It wasn't just about the boys. Mums and Dads also showed up wearing their mojo as they went full drive for 70m and 200m dash. A number of them later confessed to me that this was their first venture on to the track and field after school time.
Grannies and Grandpas turned up too in full gear for their walkathon. Later that evening while it was great to see senior enthusiastically waiting for their names to be called out to the winner podium.
Besides organising the event, no surprises, I ran the 10K as well. At the start point was a competitive field of 17 men and women and an early morning fair weather, even by Bangalore summer standards. Surprise package turned out to be a relatively lesser known runner who literally sped-off to 10K in 50 minutes. I was humbled to the 3rd position by another fellow runner who typically runs a more steady flow but this time perhaps had a nicer dinner the night before.
The event took just over two months to plan. In the end it was well worth the effort as the entire community came together to have fun.
As they say, you are known by the company you keep. Mine is an active one!
Couple of weeks back it was a busy weekend at home. I was part of the organising team that put together this year's sports meet at our apartment complex. The scale was much bigger than ever and the event spanned across two days and multiple sports disciplines. Of course, it was aptly titled Gardenia Olympics.
The enthusiasm and the energy over those two days was palpable. The entire community - from grand parents to grand kids - were outdoors. Participation was phenomenal and competition was of..hmm..Olympian proportions.
5K run saw as many as 40 men, women, boys and girls at the start line with most of them making the finish as well. Highlight of the run was the final 200 m dash by a band of 3 boys pushing for a photo finish. That they had enough left in them to go the last 200 m on full throttle was amazing itself but the fact that these boys were between the age group of 7-8 years made it all the more awe inspiring. Phew!
It wasn't just about the boys. Mums and Dads also showed up wearing their mojo as they went full drive for 70m and 200m dash. A number of them later confessed to me that this was their first venture on to the track and field after school time.
Grannies and Grandpas turned up too in full gear for their walkathon. Later that evening while it was great to see senior enthusiastically waiting for their names to be called out to the winner podium.
Besides organising the event, no surprises, I ran the 10K as well. At the start point was a competitive field of 17 men and women and an early morning fair weather, even by Bangalore summer standards. Surprise package turned out to be a relatively lesser known runner who literally sped-off to 10K in 50 minutes. I was humbled to the 3rd position by another fellow runner who typically runs a more steady flow but this time perhaps had a nicer dinner the night before.
The event took just over two months to plan. In the end it was well worth the effort as the entire community came together to have fun.
As they say, you are known by the company you keep. Mine is an active one!
