NAGAR RISING MARATHON.

The next big thing.

By Veloscope

May 30^th, 2017

The running market in India has expanded rapidly in the past few years as there are more races every month in almost every city and new types of events involving different causes and concepts and new technology flooding the market, a larger population taking to running either competitively or for improved health and fitness. Millennial generation forms the larger chunk of this stream and picks up the races with challenging distances and route and trains months ahead for it. And if the race is a qualifier for a major race, then don’t even spend a second thought on the runner participation quality and volume.

introduction.

Into its third edition, Nagar rising marathon already garnered so much attention and participation for its well acclaimed tough course and for being the much popularized SCCM qualifier race which definitely pulled in lot of serious runners and also a large stream of amateur runners and fitness enthusiasts across different categories of half marathon, 10 k and 5k distances. Rising above the mentioned grounds of its popularity, the race was themed on cancer awareness and aims to contribute towards creating a much healthier society and nation.

ENROUTE.

Let’s take a quick look at the run plot and the views on the run - A complete tarmac race in a historic city set up with first few miles of quick strides passing through the Ahmednagar cantonment, leading to the open highway, past which the monstrous uphill with a daunting gradient begins. Running past the patches of a barren land and scarce vegetation which evidently didn’t see enough of the rainfall last year, ancient monumental structures and windmills in the far away vision and winding down a tricky downhill while the sun comes out early and bright keeping you the company throughout. The race is tough and one has to dig in deeper through their efforts to cross the finish line.

Undoubtedly the course was tough and challenging but the athletes who toed the start line were competitive and came in with the preparation in pursuit of their race best time and since the event had cash prizes, there were some scorching fast times and heated competition where everyone seemed to be pushing their own limits.

The fastest man – Avinash Sable, in the event crossed the finish line at 01:12 while the female winner- JyotiGawate, made it in 01:24 for the half marathon distance.

THE Chand Bibi Tomb

The run takes us to Ahmednagar's iconic Salabat Khab II tomb, renamed by the locals and now popularly known as Chand Bibi Tomb, a three-storey stone structure situated on the crest of the Shah Dongar hill which is about 3080 feet above sea level, 800 feet above the city, offering spectacular views of the valley below. Also, it transforms into a quaint sunset spot in the evenings.

While everything is so fast, tough and intense about the event, there were a huge range of ability levels contesting the race with varied purpose that added to its appeal. The motto to support the cancer awareness and encouraging the local running scene, people in visibly huge numbers registered and ran under 5k and 10 k category celebrating health and fitness and to break their own mental and physical barriers.

classic.

UNTIL NEXT TIME.

At the finish line, it was the moment to gauge on what went right and what needed more work, pat on the back on the good job done and hugs and smiles for finishing the race, a loud cheer for the winning friend and a personal satisfaction of giving in the entire effort for finishing the race made the environment charismatic.