“Run Maadi Run”- IMLPs Take On Bangalore Marathon
July 1, 2009
Bangalore IMLPs join a group of runners to race for the finish line!“Run Maadi Run”
was the punchline of the recently concluded Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore marathon.
23,000 runners made their way to the start line on May 31st, 2009 to showcase the spirit of Bangalore and run for a cause. We had 50 runners from GE Bangalore, including a bunch of IMLPs, who took part in this event.
The GE runners participated in two categories. Most of us took part in the 5.7 km Majja Run. We ran the whole distance dressed in school uniforms to promote the theme “Education for All”. We were carrying banners which displayed captions like “Education is not preparation for life; Education is life itself” or “A great teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart” and others.
This effort was well appreciated by many and a few of us were also captured by the TV cameras and shown on national television. A few also participated in 10 km Open Run and some clocked impressive timing of finishing the race in less than an hour.
The GE runners took up this opportunity and collected funds to support an institution called “Association for the Mentally challenged (AMC)”. AMC has been set up to provide support services to mentally challenged from all sections of society. Today it shelters and supports about 200 children, adolescents and adults.
Participating in this race was a great experience.
Equipped with mp3 players, running attire, water bottles, timing chips, we started off the race in an open road at 8:00 am on a Sunday Morning. The participants ranged from professional athletes, celebrities, students, senior citizens, physically challenged, corporates or just the common man with a great spirit to run.
There were huge crowd of supporters on the sideline throughout the track cheering us up. The organizing team did a great job and you could find them at frequent intervals serving water, glucose and cheering the runners. The Majja run saw participants in creative costumes to support various causes and it had an atmosphere of a big carnival. The great feeling of completing the race and crossing the finish line cant be put into words.
Guest Blogger: N. Ramesh