I RUN FOR MYSELF.

Aurangabad Marathon.

By Veloscope

March 10^th, 2017

Aurangabad, the tourism capital of Maharashtra in addition to being one of the fastest growing cities in the world to housing the magnificent Ajanta and Ellora caves to being the heavenly abode to black bucks, brings you a very special treat.

When this city hosteda half marathon of the largest magnitude for the very first time on the theme “I Run for Myself”, where the speedsters chased their personal bests while many first timers ran for an experience unknown,everybody stood a chance to emerge victorious in their own abilities, strength and purpose while taking awaythe love from the locals and support of the most historical and the largest Lokmat media, connecting the masses in Aurangabad for the longest time and soaking in the spirit of the city.

The BIGGEST RUN FOR THE CITY.

Aurangabad Half Marathon, a Lokmat initiative; had a recorded 5000 runners (approx.)across all the categories on 11 Dec 2016 blazing the asphalt. In its very first edition,it bought in a very diverse runner population not just from Maharashtra but from other parts of the country also. A plethora of enthusiastic, highly spirited serious and recreational runners toed the start line.

RACE CONDITIONS.

It was a cold December morning and the chilly conditions were evidently felt in everywhere. Garkheda Stadium emitted the high energy hustle and bustle of the excited and eager runners. The race conditions were unusually nice and not as cold as the day progressed. The start and finish point was a closed loop starting and ending in Garkheda stadium, taking you through the heritage and scenic view points in the city, all on asphalt.

Crowds like these

What appeals you the most about a race event you are participating in, if you were asked?

Runners undoubtedly witnessed the most supportive crowd. The police men, middle aged men and women, school going kids, small street businesses everybody showed their support in the ways best known to them. They applauded, cheered, smiled, high fived and most importantly showed up on the roads to show their support. The city takes a sense of pride in celebrating the runners and the spirit of “Athithidevobhava”.

the competiton.

As soon as the race was flagged off, the competition between the elites was so fierce, so competitive that it couldn’t be missed in a blink. They surely are very serious about being fast and going fast.But the race wasn’t just limited to elites. Everybody was tackling their own challenge. Amateurs running at their race pace, some individually, few with their pacer and lot of them in a bunch. It strategically served as a training run for most of the amateurs who participate in the Mumbai marathon in January every year.

on the route moments.

the celebration.

After the race got over, there was a sense of achievement that could be felt in the air. Winners were felicitated and honoured.There was a physical and psychological empowerment that could be sensed in the stadium, in its real essence and the participants left a vibe to come back to the race next year with much better preparation.