Marathon in India

FROM ANCIENT YAGNAS TO MODERN ATHLETICS: INDIA EMBRACES MARATOHN MARATHON AND YATRAS In ancient India, the Vaj-Pei Yagna and Rajsuya Yagna were events full of sports and entertainment, having similarities with the ancient Olympics and marathons. But India is better known for Yatra (spiritual journeys) in various parts of the country. Pandharpur Wari, Kanwadia Yatra, and various Tirth Yatras are some examples. These Yatras have been organized since time immemorial. However, it is interesting that India has, in the last decades, embraced the marathon culture in a big way. These days, a large number of marathon races are being organized annually in various cities in India, including those organized in challenging terrains. Marathon is a long-distance race completed with a run-and-walk strategy. The origin of the marathon is attributed to the story of a warrior who ran 26 miles from a place called Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory in the 5th century B.C., which gave birth to the race. In fact, the Olympics began with a short racing event. At present, the marathon is the final athletic race in the Olympics Games. The men's marathon in the Olympic athletics program was added to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The current standard length started with the 1908 Games in London. The women’s event was added to the 1984 Olympics. Running events, even today, remain the heart of Sports in general and athletics in particular. Modern marathon racing is about a century old, but it has grown many times in recent decades worldwide. These days marathons are being held for various age groups like senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and the wheelchair-bound. Around 900 marathons, mostly recreational, are held throughout the world each year for various distances like the full Marathon (42.195 km), half- marathon (21.0975 km), the dream run (6.6 km), and so on. Half marathon, the fastest-growing type of race held concurrently with a marathon, attracts the vast majority of people as it is within the reach of healthy people in various age groups. A full marathon requires practice for years for even professional runners. The recreational runners, when training for the marathon, aim at about 64 km in a week with one of the runs reaching around 32 km. However, the marathon attracts not only professionals but also a range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. These events attract large numbers of spectators and are widely telecasted worldwide. Boston Marathon (held annually since 1897) is the oldest and most important marathon today, which is the wish list of runners. Similarly, London, Chicago, Paris, Berlin, New York City, Tokyo, and Amsterdam are important marathons with participation from across the world. Started in 1981, the New York City Marathon has more than 53 thousand participants. MARATHON – A SILENT REVOLUTION IN INDIA The Mumbai Marathon, the only internationally acclaimed event in India, is among the most popular races. It is held annually on the 3rd Sunday of January. It has become the largest marathon in Asia and soon going to be the largest on the global map of distance running. The first marathon was held in Mumbai in 1981 with the initiative of Procam International, a pioneer in distance running in India. Mumbai marathon has six categories Full, Half, Dream run, senior citizens ( 4.3), champions with

disability (2.4 km), and a timed 10 km. In the recently held event in Mumbai, there were 55 thousand participants who registered for the run on 15th January 2023. This number is remarkable as a significant amount of fee is charged for registration. Marathon is also an economic activity. The biggest source of revenue for marathon organizers is the entry fee for participants (18 years & above). INR 2500 / 50 USD is charged for a full marathon. Corporate Sponsorship and advertising also contribute to making these runs sustainable. The preferred temperature for long runs is 6 °C; therefore, these runs are generally organized in January and February in India. Interestingly, India has developed organizational skills in this field. Some of the companies like Procam International and NEB Sports organize these events very systematically. A large number of municipal, medical, police, and other clearances are required to organize these events. FIT INDIA MOVEMENT Marathon is unique and with unparalleled benefits to individuals and society. Walking and Running activities are the heart of a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. Running provides the base for athletics and sports. Running has a multiplier effect, but when it comes to mass participation, it creates ground for social cohesiveness toward nation-building. It is also the nursery for a pool of sporting talent. Running activities promote a healthy lifestyle, enthusiasm, liveliness, positivity, and sporting culture. It is a welcome change as it turns India from mass viewership of cricket to mass participation in the activity. In recent years we have found group running and cycling culture rising among office going population, particularly in big cities. This is perhaps the biggest mass response to the Fit India Mission launched in 2019 by the Modi government, which aims to increase fitness culture in India. This also encourages people across India, even in smaller cities, to create small runners groups as more and more people take up running across the country. Marathon is the great equalizer in a situation of social divisions and gender inequality. We witness a higher increase in the number of women participants year by year, which is a happy development. Interestingly the honor of the oldest (Fauja Singh, then 100) and youngest (Budhia at age of 5) marathon runner title rests with a person of Indian origin. While flagging off the 2017 Mumbai marathon, the writer of this column observed electrifying enthusiasm, festive mood and youthfulness among participants. Some of them were in colorful uniforms, just enjoying the open roads while beating drums. Started in 2007, Delhi half marathon is another important event. Other important Marathons are the Jaipur Marathon( February), Vadodara International Marathon(January), Bengaluru Midnight (Dec.), Marathon, Indore Marathon, Pink City Half Marathon ( February ), Indian Marathon ( May), Ladakh Marathon & Ultra (September), Hyderabad Marathon( held in Feb., is the second largest marathon in India after the Mumbai Marathon), Kolkata, Dehradun Marathon, Patna Half Marathon, Pune International Marathon, Satara Hill Half Marathon, Malshej Ghat Winter Marathon, Goa River Marathon, Aravali Trail Run, Gurugram, Gokarna Half Marathon 2022, Munnar Half Marathon are some of the interesting events organized in a different part of the country. Goa River Marathon, Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon, Ladakh Marathon, Kaveri Trail Marathon, and PINKATHON are some of the unique events in the country. These are some of the events approved by Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the apex body that also controls marathons in India and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS, global body that promotes distance running throughout the world. AIMS has 469 members in 122 countries, including the world's premier

marathons and road races. AIMS has started providing knowledge and expertise to Indian organizers in a more systematic way. Marathons also promote the economy in a big way. Marathon has also become the single largest fundraising platform. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new dimension to long-distance racing. The newly introduced Virtual Running event has created a lot of flexibility. The BMC has planned a half marathon in Mumbai as part of the Fit India movement, and this is going to bring a new dimension to running. Hira Ballabh