KUNDALIKA RIVER MARATHON

Can you take the heat?

By Veloscope

May 1^st, 2017

"There is a moment in every race. A moment where you can either quit, fold, or say to yourself, 'I can do this.'" – And that’s how you keep going.

Kundalika is a small river flowing from the Hills of Sahyadri to the Arabian Sea, originating at a small town called Bhira in the Indian State of Maharashtra. Kolad is one of the towns located on the banks of Kundalika, which is about 110 km from Mumbai off the Mumbai Goa Highway; chosen as the venue for the Kundalika River Half Marathon (KRHM).

River Kundalika is fed by the excess water from Tata Power's Mulshi Dam Project. Rafting is conducted on the river using the rapids generated by the rushing water released from the dam and has thus, emerged as a popular adventure hub for white water rafting

the heat is on!

Kundalika River Half Marathon (KRHM) is rated as one of the toughest half marathons in the country. It’s an evening marathon starting at 4 pm in the afternoon, scheduled towards the end of the month of February. Apparently, afternoon starts can be tough, as this is often the hottest point of the day;here mercury levels precisely reading 36 degree Celsius on the scale and the humidity levels showing no mercy either

Course layout was undoubtedly scenic running through the village, forests and fields along the banks of the river but leaving no gap to test your endurance and stamina. A hilly terrain with steeper slopes amounting to a great cumulative elevation gain combined with small stretches of mud and a rock track, and heat and humidity playing its villainous role, it was honestly a demanding half marathon.

LIFE GOES ON.

While the runners were feeling every pulse of the pounding sun and trudging their way along step by weary step, the village life was in its elements. A small village with a handful of people, most of them surviving on their own produce and walking few miles to fetch water, life appears physically very active for them. Children were out on the street running around and playing, looked amused watching the runners taking on theirvillage streets. Cattle was returning home at the dusk and birds were picking up on the decibels as the sun went down.

the EVENING BROUGHT RESPITE.

FROM THE JUNGLE INTO THE VILLAGE.

There was no mayhem spotted in terms of the planning and execution of the race. Organizers issued a fair idea about the challenging yet the most interesting and beautiful route to the participants by sharing the course map and the expected weather conditions during and before the registrations. “Wonderfully organized” were the words echoed by all the participants. Volunteers were very friendly and water aid stations were plentiful and well stocked.In such heat conditions, dehydration emerges as a bigger picture of the problem for the athletes and therefore there were water showers and sprays situated at every kilometer of the route and aid stations stocked with bananas, oranges and energy drinks

Route was undoubtedly and repeatedly challenging but it didn’t cease the runners bringing out the best in them. The results were outstanding with the winners time in the half marathon overall category being 01: 41:21 followed by the runner up time at 01:47:42

“Awesome experience at my first evening half marathon with a tough course to bring out the toughness in me. Well organized by team Run Buddies. Timely start, good support from volunteers and some great fun post-race with good food and dance..” says the runner up GirishBindra.

FINIHING OFF.

There’s no place like a finish line. Quite literally! Dance and music to shake off the exhaustion and fatigue from the run and letting the hair down with the fellow runners was the thing everyone was up to. It was a fun galore at the finish line. So well-meaning arrangements post run in the form of ice blocks and rain dance was such a thoughtful planning from the organizers end. Evening slipped into the singing and karaoke party and the next morning river rafting making it a complete fun and a summer weekend outing.

This half marathon gets a big tick from us if you are a nature person and you love running on enduring and challenging routes. One of the most beautiful running venue ever, making these 13.1 miles the best ever to have ever run!!