RUN BY THE WAVES

Konkan Beach Marathon

By Veloscope

April 24^th, 2017

“The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.”

― Christopher Paolini.

THE BATTLEFIELD.

Nagaon is a beach town on the shores of the Arabian Sea, in the North Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is located 9 km from Alibaug and 114 km from Mumbai. With the tide low and a quaint town in the backdrop, the stage is set for the show.

warm up.

With excitement in the air and curious onlookers, the fun started at 5:30 am. Participants got themselves warmed up with stretches and a Zumba session that had everyone set for the run with tons of energy and smiles.

Runners, after a long travel along the coastline and a bonfire with fun activities on the previous night, gathered on the Nagaon shore for the run. The shore welcomed runners early in the morning with firm sands and calm waters. The low tide left its mark on the vast stretch of sand and the early start was dark, quiet and serene.

steady.

At dot 6 am, the half marathon began. As the sun started to rise the runners kick started the main event. The 10 km and 3 km marathon began soon after with an interval of 15 minutes each. The terrain, though new for most, only made the challenged participants more motivated. Runners young and old taking in the scenic location and pushing their feet against the moist soft sand, bringing color to this quiet morning on the beach was nothing less than inspiring.

behind the scenes.

accomplishing.

With refreshments and encouragement throughout the route, runners pushed themselves against the difficult surface. The urge and struggle of each runner was visible with hard leaps against the tough sand and the push against one's limits. The desire to emerge as a winner, not against others, but themselves.

takeaway.

Run complete, participants took to relaxing on the shore while some also took to the water. The biggest takeaway for every runner being a state of mind that says anything is possible. A marathon is an event where everyone is equal and ordinary at the starting line. But a legend is born at the finish line.