Run to make a difference to society

The proceeds from the event will be given two three prominent charities. A small community of 70 call themselves with a running crew with a difference as they regularly support social causes. 

Hundreds of fitness enthusiast head to the Marina beach every day to have a planned workout. It was here that around 15 runners had gathered to be part of a fitness training programme and to participate in a popular Marathon event. “We worked out together for close to three months. A few of us became very close then. And after the event was over, we decided to meet regularly on the beach,” says Prasanna Kumar, one of the founding members of Marina Runnerz.

What started with just 15 members in 2014, now has over 70 members, who meet twice a week. “Most of the members have participated in marathons and almost everybody can easily do a 10 km run,” says 59-yer-old Jayendra Soni, one of the early members of the group, adding that there is so much buzz about long-distance running but one has to have a good training before going about it. 

Jayendra also runs a popular blog titled: Why I started running at the age of 56. 

“Earlier to this I lived a very sedentary lifestyle and was extremely inactive. The reason why I put my running shoes on at the age of 56 is because of my health. I started with a 40-minute walk and then moved to brisk walking. As the days passed, I started running and that changed my life,” says the now 59-yearold marathon runner. Every member has similar journeys and have strived hard for better performance. “Running is not an easy task. A person is likely to get severe pains. As a group, we try to support each other. When one tries to push harder, there are chances that he or she might want to give up; as a group, we inspire and encourage each other,” says Jayendra. 

The members meet every Wednesday and Friday at 5 am to be trained by a professional trainer. 

“We all come from different parts of the city. They run through the rest of the week. At least twice a week, we work on strengthening and core training. Also, we do Long Slow Distance (LSD), an aerobic endurance training often done by runners and long-distance cyclists. What makes our group is different is the fact that we have hired a trainer exclusively for us.”  

Another aspect that makes them different is their dedication for giving back to the society. “Last year we supported three charities through our marathon. The proceeds went to Shankar Nethralaya, Arco Iris Foundation and Viswajayam Foundation that helps in cleaning many government-run hospitals. The foundation also works extensively at the cancer block of the Royapettah Hospital. Apart from these two, this year we are also working with the Adyar cancer institute,” explains Prasanna. “The group  also supports youngsters who want to run professionally but do not have the financial means”. 

To register for the marathon, one has to pay between Rs 800 to Rs 950 per person. They hope that more people will  participate in the marathon. For the marathon on February, the registration is open for half marathon (21.1 km), 10 km, and there is a special race for families to participate in the Family Fund Run of 5 km. Here, participants aged over 12 years can run along with their parents. To register, visit www. marinarunnerz.com or www.marina.run. The fee is Rs. 950 for 21.1 km and 10 km and Rs. 800 for and 5 km. 

They are also planning to conduct training camps at different locations. “It will be a structured training programme by professional coaches to help people with their first run,” says a member.