9 years later, not much is different... except, everything is way better!

This is among the top 10 races in India to run, for the beauty of the course as well as race experience.

The route is tough. What makes this race special is that there is beauty of the route, amazing race support and a really tough route, all at once. At about 3k out, you hit a long climb that goes up about a third of a kilometre and goes downhill for over a kilometre. Here's the kicker, though - its an out-and-back race route. So, on your way back, the gradual downhill is now a gradual uphill - for about a km. About 3km before the finish line. Oh well, might as well enjoy the pain!

Even before the start, with the presence of sporty movie stars like Sanya Malhotra of Dangal fame, the race promises to be a mile-a-minute run of excitement.

The fact that the folks (or should we say forces) behind the Goa River Marathon, the Vasco Sports Club, are also all serious, disciplined runners, who were once running a half marathon a weekend, means that Goa or no Goa, there is no chilling out when it comes to runners needs. The expo is professionally organised, there is a smile on the face of volunteers, the races start on time, are expertly marked and all aid stations are replete with everything you need for a tough race.

From the start, when the flag off happens and the pacers set off, to the sweaty close where runners are already thinking of that cold bottle of Kings and maybe some kalamari waiting to help them recover, every minute of this beautiful, large-hearted race is full of high-energy excitement and love.