Organized by ChampEndurance, the Apla-Pune marathon was conceptualized as an event that catered to runners with different levels of competence, the aim being to encourage a culture of health and fitness among the masses. Runners lined up at the start line for the 3, 5, 10, 16 kilometer runs and the half and full marathons - bantering in a range of tongues. Some of them wanted a taste of the sport while others were aiming for gold and testing the limits of their bodies in the process.

The crowds gathered in numbers never witnessed at any marathon in Pune before the pandemic: a celebratory reawakening of the city as it slowly returned to normalcy. India’s running community might have been dealt a blow by nationwide lockdowns, but judging from the buzz at the start line of the Apla-Pune, they were not deterred by the setbacks.

Neither age nor injury was a barrier to the intrepid runners! Reassured by the support of the medical staff standing by at every kilometer, the participants felt empowered to test the very limit of their capabilities, knowing that there was a safety net to catch them if they fell!

The run took a picturesque route through Pune’s verdant neighbourhoods, starting at Mhalunge, and snaking through the avenues of Pashan, making its way through Marido colony, past City Mall and down to Symbiosis college of commerce. This was a 21km loop, which was doubled for the full marathoners. 

Facilitating arrangements to allow the participants to give their all to their race, the organizers got together with Pune police to keep the show running smoothly. Stationed at every kilometer or so, refreshment stations helped reinvigorate the weary marathoners. Pacers controlled the tempo for the runners looking for a more calibrated approach, while police cordoned off large sections of road to keep runners safe from dawn to dusk.

While many were running their own race, the prizes that were up for grabs had others jostling for the top positions. The fastest 3 competitors of each run and age category won cash prizes and shoes from Brooks, incentives aimed at spreading enthusiasm and igniting some friendly competition. 

An infectious feeling of pride and accomplishment filled the air amongst the finishers. A sense of accomplishment of having traversed immense distances running, paired with the camaraderie and enthusiasm of people united by sport - an enthusiasm that not even a global pandemic could diminish.