This race is one of many sports and adventure events organised by the Ruggedian store in Kolhapur. The sporting culture has surely had a glorious history in this city, which boasts of a few other races, in addition to the Rugged Sahyadri, and has many other adventure sports under the Ruggedian banner. Doing the city sincere service with this run seems a logical next step for them.

So, what does a "Ruggedian" look like? They look just like you and I do. Folks with jobs and lives and responsibilities and a lack of time. Folks who are making that time happen, just so that they can make their lives and their hearts stronger.

One of the specialities of this race, as mentioned earlier, is that it is run in the city. But the city itself is so beautiful and so full of greenery, that running through town is not a particular hardship. You can see the evidence of the beauty of the city. In the mellow February weather, it must be a joy to run in.

There were children running with their parents, in the shorter distances. And the value of experiences like this, in cementing a lasting relationship with sports and wellness cannot be spoken about enough at all.

In addition, women stepped out to run with friends and family members. Another big movement is to get women running and pursuing the active lifestyle - when that happens, the entire community moves forward from being one riddled with lifestyle illnesses.

The youth ran with the enthusiasm that they bring to all their other endeavours.

There was a special event for the differently abled and it was heartening to see them go the distance with gusto and enjoy their moment in the sun.

As the runners approached the finish line, a marching band set up tunes, to welcome them back into the warmth of accomplishment. Cheers to a successful edition of the Ruggedian Run and here's looking forward to the next.