Jan 20, 2006 01:33 PM
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(Updated Jan 20, 2006 01:33 PM)
I consider myself fortunate to have experienced the Mumbai Marathon Dream Run.
Organized by Standard Chartered Bank this was the third year and I was determined to experience it once at least. It was held on Sunday 15th. January and as usual I lay lolling around in bed and almost didn’t make it, but for my over-enthusiastic husband (to whom I am very thankful now) for literally dragging me out of bed.
As all roads leading to town were closed to vehicular traffic, we took a train to CST and reached by 9am. On emerging from the subway the most amazing spectacle awaited us. Thousands of enthusiasts like us, all making their way towards Azad Maidan- the meeting ground and there was a palpable excitement all around. I was taking part in the 7kms dream run and had been registered by my husband who works for Hindustan Lever. So the T-shirt which I proudly wore had Run Levers Run written across it, both front and back. The reason I mention this is because half the fun was in reading the messages on various t-shirts, checking out which charity was being supported by which company and generally a feel good atmosphere all around. At 9.30am sharp the serpentine queue started moving out of Azad Maidan towards the start line at CST. Hats off to the organizers and participants for the orderly manner in which all this was done. By now of course my husband was with the large Levers contingent whilst I was with my own group of friends. I reached the start line at 9.50am and there began my dream walk rather than run! It was really not possible to run as the number of people was phenomenal…28,000 I believe! Anyway to soak in the experience, it was better to be walking rather than running and noticing all the slogans and acknowledging the cheering crowds!
So down the road my friend and I set off past Handloom house, Fountain, Kalaghoda and turned at Bombay university to walk towards Sachivalaya onwards to Nariman Point, from past Hotel Oberoi down the seafront upto Pizzeria from where we did U-turn to walk past Air India back to Flora fountain and finally CST again. All along the route there were people cheering, music blaring and some even singing whilst walking! Was all that distance just 7kms?? Didn’t seem so! In fact the bonhomie amongst all the dream runners/walkers made it seem like a cakewalk!! It was pretty hot by then, but Kingfisher had sponsored drinking water at very many spots and that was adequate to quench that parched throat. The walk was made ever so interesting by certain people who had dressed up- in green leaves to support Greener Mumbai, to a group supporting harmony by dressing up as Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, to the dabawallas, to someone dressed like devil and another like Osama(one and the same though). It was really touching to see some physically challenged children also participating to some even wheelchair bound and even a group of heart patients along with their physicians.
The thrill on sighting the finishing line was tremendous ….for me it was as though I had won the full marathon!!
But this was not about winning or losing. It was participation that mattered. All running the dream run to support a charity of their choice and showing India and the world once again that indomitable spirit of the Mumbaikars. Truly an unforgettable experience-a must at least once for all Mumbaikars.
