(https://www.sportstimingsolutions.in/share.php?event_id=77472&bib=43259)
Isn’t at times one progressing backward exciting?
Experienced such an
excitation through participation in 10K Destroyer Run in the “Indian
Oil WNC Navy Half Marathon” (https://wncnavyhalfmarathon.com/#home)
that was scheduled on Nov 19, 2023. Could finish 10K run (= walk for me) within
1:42:09 hours, which means 10:12 mins per km (https://www.sportstimingsolutions.in/share.php?event_id=77472&bib=43259). This was the least time taken per
km in past three years! It was a moment of contentment especially as this pace
was achieved inspite of the feet being not quite fit. Without any doubt thanks
to Stutii of Conquer My Own Everest (https://cqmyoe.com/)
and Saurabh Bothra of Habuild (https://habuild.in)
to develop that stamina and mental energy to sustain.
In past four years this was
my overall fourth, second community and the first solo-participation (= no-one along
with me) 10K run. Being alone this time had brought quite some anxiety in me
that I eventually learnt to overcome.
The event was conducted by the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy. It was the its sixth edition and had a message "Clean coasts and clean seas make healthy lives." Amazingly well-organised event right from the bib n kit collection. It was not merely kit-distributions, but was an event in itself. It was for the first time I had been to collect a kit personally. Hence it was all the more exciting for me to experience that. There were sessions organized on health-related topics for the runners, but unfortunately, I could not take advantage of the same. The kit did not have only the bib n the t-shirt, but so many health-related and useful goodies. The thoughtfulness to have superior quality bib with not only holes in the four corners, but also with the four safety pins included was an example of the level of the details that they worked at. Even the bag itself was of good quality jute. And that should not be a wonder as none other than our own Indian Navy was the organizer. (just to share an example - the portable washrooms had cleanliness and the luxury of having toilet tissue rolls!). The booklet, the short video that was created for sharing the route (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp3Ei_5H9aA), the series of emails related to preparation for the run were just a few amongst many aspects that were taken care of at the level of nothing below perfection.
There were special trains arranged
so that people could reach at wee hours for the event through both the central
n western lines. The volunteers were right outside the railway station and also
throughout the route till Azad maidan (the starting n ending point of the run)
to guide people. The entire Azad maidan was used for various activities and detailed
map of the same was a part of the booklet that reached prior to the event. There
were guidelines about do’s n don’ts of eating n exercising before n after event
in the booklet. The venue had a facility of keeping the bags so that the
runners cud run without carrying anything. Zumba session was organized for the runners
to warm up.
It was so much exciting to be
a part of this run, where the entire route was prohibited for the vehicles, the
navy officers, Mumbai and Navy police, general public were cheering up,
clapping, taking photographs. There were huge kinda banners-cum-installations
to denote the completion of every km. There were three runs – half marathon,
10K and 5K and these km-completion installations were colour-coded for each of
this run. There were water and enerzal arrangement at multiple points during this
entire run. There were also medical facility counters at multiple points on the route.
Some of these features r otherwise also experienced for any such events, but
the point of excitation was seeing the helicopter taking rounds up above throughout
the run! It felt so special! The fun, energy and enthusiasm with so many
participants running along with u was at another level! Passing in front of
many points including the NCPA would naturally bring a smile on the face. There
were bikers and ambulance also taking rounds to check if anyone needed help.
This was my third event of being
active on South Mumbai roads. The earlier two were: 1. Night cycling from Asiatic
library to Sea Link and Back with https://www.bhatakna.com;
2. Women’s bike rally on Maharashtra Day (https://eduexperiments.blogspot.com/2023/05/my-first-womens-bike-rally.html).
The roads that are full of traffic otherwise … when u experience that the
entire traffic has been stopped so that you are able to cycle/ ride/ run, one
feels pampered.
After we were back from the run,
the medals were presented to the runners at the hands of Indian Navy officers.
That was another point to feel so much proud of these men in spotless white, who
guard our huge coastal regions! To receive the medal at their hands was a
blessed feeling. The medals were designed so beautifully! Also it is sturdy.
Four days r over till date, but I still cannot have enough of the medal! I keep
touching it, keep seeing it. It is my second real medal, but this is special
and precious for me. I am really going to treasure it.
All runs do provide eatables
to the participants at the end. But this event was par excellence even on this
front. The quality of packing, the quantity of items … there was nothing to
complain about. The quantity was so much that one would not be required to feel hungry
for next 4-5 hrs at least. After a tiring run people were peacefully sitting on
the ground, relaxing, doing after-run stretches, having food.
Organisers had made every
effort to create the best of the best experiences for the participants at the
venue:
·
The prize-holders were
given the miniatures of the Navy ships alongwith the prize money and other
items.
·
The Run events do have
one photo-booth. But here there were two sets of three independent photo-booths
for the three types of runs. And as you may see in the pic, the photo-booth had
a huge version of the actual medal to take the photo with. Runners were already
aware of these photo-booths as those were already there during the bib-n-kit
collection time and point.
·
This one was a total
surprise and I was just amazed with the thoughtfulness of the organisers. There
was a huge banner created saying “RUN WITH THE NAVY”. Nothing great in that.
Right? The uniqueness was the entire background for the banner was created
using the names of all the participants put alphabetically! This was just
beyond my imagination! Cannot tell how super-excited I was to see it! Actually
my feel were extremely tired by the time the run was over (though it was 10K
run, I experienced that one actually lands up walking almost 14 km on that day
with the additional walk from home to railway station and Churchgate station to
the venue). I was just pushing myself to collect food, to collect bag, etc. Still
I went to this point to see my name and to take pic with the name. What a
thought by the organisers! Here was once again a point to feel proud to be one amongst
so many running on that day.
In such a beautiful event
there were moments to feel ashamed. The shame was all the more severe as the pains
to plan n implement the event were taken by our super-disciplined Indian Navy. Thre
were special instructions mentioned in the booklet about not to litter the
route and the places (sad that we r required to be “told” about it). Still
people were throwing those water bottles and energizer tetra packs, its straws
and the plastic covering the straw on the roads. Thre were litter-collection
huge containers placed immediately after the water/ drink distribution points with
the volunteers to help the runners to throw the litter. Similarly, even at the
venue there were huge food-boxes collections spots with the volunteers, but
still people were found leaving the boxes and peels of the fruits anywhere on
the ground. If this is the way we r ‘valuing’ the efforts taken by Indian Navy
for the run, do we civilians really deserve the efforts?
I returned back with a mixed
feeling of pride and gratitude towards Indian Navy, contentment of completion
of the run going against all odds on the day and the shame because of people
littering around.
Cannot wait to participate
in the next edition of this Run. I don’t know for how many more years I shall
be able to run (= walk) with this stamina, but wish to participate till I can
do it. Such a participation is in a way saying ‘thank u’ to my
dear brother, Abhijit Tannu, who keeps no stone unturned to make us vigilant towards
our health.
#10KDestroyerRun #IndianOilWNCNavyHalfMarathon2023
#WNC #Navy #COME #Habuild #SaurabhBothra #SNDTWU #DSW
