My Marathon Photos:
November 8, 2008:
I head to the Vasant square city mall, Vasant kunj to collect my running number & kit. The mall is still under development and has little to offer. The Airtel “Joy of Running” camp is staged just outside the mall building. It takes little time for me to collect my running essentials. I am amazed at the generosity of Airtel & other sponsors this year: the goodie bag is packed with stuff worth over 1000 bucks. Additionally, I procure a timing chip and a car parking ticket. The stalls and other arrangements are very similar to previous years. As usual, the guys at the Radio Mirchi stall are busy roping in the gullible and making them do something awkward with the promise of a T-shirt in return. I don’t understand how people can endure absurdity for a stupid T-shirt.
Finally, I purchase a Gatorade combo pack and leave the premises.
November 9, 2008:
A nasty sounding phone alarm startles me at 0515 hrs. Its marathon day and I am rearing to go. As I get ready, a melodious hymn from a far off temple touches my divine quarters. I soon slip into my running gear, pin up my running number bib, secure the timing chip and drive out of my place by 0600 hrs. My neighbor Anil Sahoo, another running enthusiast, joins me. It’s still dark and very foggy. I drive slow and pick two more guys: Abdul & Rakesh. Abdul is a seasoned runner and it’s the first half marathon for Rakesh.
We reach the Race course parking site by 06:40 hrs. Many enthusiasts have reached much before us and we are lucky to find a good parking slot. The holding area for half marathoners is 700m from the parking area. It’s a good warm up opportunity and we briskly walk towards Vinay marg (opposite Ashoka hotel).
Delhi police cops are busy frisking the runners. We enter the holding area after crossing a two-tier security. The holding area is a huge affair with many makeshift booths for medal collections, refreshments and toilets. A gigantic LED (Light Emitting Diode) display covering the marathon event dominates the vantage point. Its 0715 hrs, and people with the timing chip; apparently the serious runners, are directed to another isolated sector. We take some time to stretch before being led to the starting line at 0728 hrs. A large digital clock displays every second passing by. We assemble 20-25m before the start line. The elite athletes are at the start line and there is a lot of excitement in the air.
Finally, the clock strikes 0730 and myriads of runners break free. As I start my run, I catch a glimpse of Rahul Bose waving to the crowd. The start is sluggish as I move slowly along the crowd. It gets much better within a km and the crowd gets sparse. Soon I’m sprinting under the Chanakyapuri underpass. The weather is cool and favorable for running (if u ignore the pollution). Post Safderjung flyover, many young boys and girls are seen dancing to cheer the runners. Countless “Indiatimes mail” hoardings are placed coarsely along the route and I soon get allergic to yellow color. At Prithviraj road, I am around 8km into the race and I see a pack of elite African runners zipping past in the opposite direction. Further down, a few Indian athletes are seen struggling to keep the pace. I give them a cheer shout along with a short applause. Within minutes, I am on Rajpath running towards India gate. But wait, where is India gate? The smog is dense and the monument is nowhere to be seen.
Some motorists are seen arguing with the policemen. I wonder how every year, even after such an extensive traffic and marathon campaign, such clowns manage to turn up so early on a Sunday morning!
I feel the hunger pangs at the 16km mark. Fortunately, there is a well-equipped water station and I gobble down a couple of biscuits. Next, I’m again climbing the Safderjung flyover, but now from the other side, and its more tiring this time. As I negotiate the 20km mark, I increase my pace and finally I’m running like crazy in the last 100m. I cross the 21.097km finish line with the digital display showing 02:05:37. (I don’t know why the certificate shows 2:05:58. No big deal).
I return to the holding area, collect my medal and certificate, grab some refreshments and relax in front of the giant screen. My friends are nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, we are carrying our mobiles and I manage to contact them. As I wait for them, I’m intrigued by the colossal LED screen and decide to inspect it closely. The screen size is 26ft x 15ft. 13 horizontal and 5 vertical LED panels are cascaded to achieve the aspect ratio. I was expecting an array of multi color LEDs on the panels, but was surprised with the tiny RGB LEDs placed at a close pitch. I guess the human eye cannot resolve the individual LEDs beyond a certain distance.
All of us finally meet at this huge display and leave for home. Abdul managed to complete the half marathon in 02:15, Anil in 02:35, and Rakesh in 3:04. I drive back home with all of us enjoying the inspiring songs from Rock on!
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