As we bid farewell to the First Monsoon Marathon, please enjoy the meditative beauty of the ghats, with a quiet stream bubbles and babbles by... giving much succour to the runners going past, with conflicting thoughts of PBs and enjoying the beauty of their surroundings.

MATHERAN MARATHON

Fact: Matheran is the only Indian hill station that has banned motorised transport! To take advantage of this great initiative, what else to do but (mathe)run, right?

This race is an endurothon: a 50k race, and a 25k race, so marathoners and half-marathoners have stretch goals to achieve. Runners vault over fallen trees, splash through pools of water, push through hard rocky terrain and experience smacking rain on your face and then there are 50 kilometres. Fun!

Trail running, as we all know, is a different kettle of fish compared to road running. This is a great opportunity to get your feet wet in the sport, and have others at the same level of competence, learning the ropes with you. As your ankles get used to the rigours of the trail, you will enjoy a new high!

DURSHET MARATHON

Another run through forests, waterfalls and winding, windy country roads.

A cherished post race tradition at this event is that everyone jumps into the pool at the race venue - Durshet Forest Lodge.

The undulating roads of the Durshet Marathon and the shades of green tell another tale as well, if you care to look carefully enough: that of camaraderie. How else does it become tradition for all participants to jump into the pool, post race, and celebrate with each other? This is, at the end of the day, the story of a close-knit community, that finds reasons to come together and spend time with each other.

STONE RIDGE VALLEY MARATHON.

The colour palette of this entire region is in shades of 'vivid' with an overlay of 'intense'.

As runners go past the same spot, you can see how the day progressively each runner just a little uniquely.

The race is run, the self-congratulating posts are uploaded, the celebratory beverage of choice has been had, backs have been thumped, it is now time for a little quiet, that space to think about your own journey - in running - and what that has meant for life. Resilience? Patience? The ability to pace yourself? The need for discipline? Balance? True wellness? What more? What next? What do you want from the next race? What is the next hurdle to vault over?

The finish line of a run, much like stages or tasks in life is nothing more than the start line for the next big thing. So, we'll see you at the monsoon races in the new year!