Running through history.

MIT’s Aurangabad Heritage Half Marathon.

By Veloscope

February 22^nd, 2017

The still morning

Green, quiet and misty ghats surrounding an age old impressive monument like the Daulatabad Fort is in itself a serene sight to catch on an early November morning in the Aurangabad district. Here is where, in AD 1328 Muhammad-bin-Tughluq briefly shifted the Mughal capital from Delhi. An ambiance of an ancient era, the bliss of nature and rich heritage is what the silence of this place brings out.

moments before

A brief gathering, little chatter and stretch of a few muscles as runners prepare themselves.

run the road

Each runner taking in the scenic sight and letting out excitement, enthusiasm and the zeal to push ones limits.

magic in every mile

the stage

White wave

A breathtaking wave of 1500 runners in white in the midst of this serene setting.

Beauty and brutality

Young or old, trained or untrained, winning or losing, the sight of every runner immersing in the beauty and brutality of this difficult course is awe inspiring and a sign of the crazy drive within each of us to go do that extra self actualizing mile.

back in time

Maintaining the element of heritage highlight, the course took runners to a turnaround curve at the magnificent Ellora caves. Dating back to about 1500 years ago, it is the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture.As tough as it is beautiful, over 100 caves excavated out of the Charanandri hills. It's location on the then trade route of South Asia made it a commercial hub and the caves also acted as monasteries and temples for the Hindus and Jains.

APPROACHING HISTORY.

AS TOUGH AS IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

no stopping

With cheering and encouragement all the way and also curious onlookers, runners had their pride and spirits recharged for the next set of steps.

AT THE FINISH LINE

As the finish line approaches, the adrenaline rush and ecstasy of the runners finishing off creates a whole new vibe. A vibe of human determination, urge to travel and venture, thrill in pushing oneself, passion to be part of something more self awakening and the love of being one with nature and history.