Dandi March route to turn into hub for ultra marathons

India could be a hub for an ultra marathon involving a 10-day, 400 km marathon and cycling expedition, that is being organised in March next year to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Organisers, that include Gandhi ji's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, say they plan to make it an annual event.

The marathon will begin on March 12 from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, while cycling will begin on March 20. Another 70-km march will begin from Bhimrad. All the three will converge at Dandi on March 23. Over 25,000 runners and cyclists are expected to take part in various endurance events.

"We expect participants from India and even abroad in the Dandi Salt Challenge 2019. It will cover the entire route of National Highway 64 from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, which has been declared as a heritage route," said Gandhi, while briefing media persons in the city.

The marathon will be a series of 19 half marathons over 10 days. One half marathons will be organised in the morning, while the others will be held in the evening, with intermissions to help participants rejuvenate themselves. "There are options of team and relay marathon, under which a team member will replace the participant in the next leg of half marathon. Participants can run marathons (21 km and 42 km), when these reach their cities as well," said Gandhi. As of now four such runs are contemplated. There is an option of non-stop cycling as well. Cultural events, especially depicting Gandhian ideals, will be organised during the halts.

Munjal Shroff, one of the co-organizers and animation film maker, said that the challenge will provide an opportunity to Indians, who could not participate in ultra-marathons in Sahara desert, South Africa, at Grand Canyon in USA. "For an Indian to participate in such event abroad, he would have to spend about Rs four lakh. In this challenge, it is a meagre amount. It will be a test of endurance. The weather in March in Gujarat will be a challenge," said Shroff. Thorough checks will be made to ensure that participants are fit enough for 400 km challenge. Shroff said that those who have participated in ultra-marathons, will only be allowed in 400-km challenge.

Dandi Museum likely to be ready in Jan-19

Dandi Museum, in memory of Salt Satyagraha by Gandhi ji, is expected to be ready by January 2019, said Tushar Gandhi. "It is a complicated project. All the ground work is ready. Erection of structures is going on. We expect it to be ready in January-2019," said Gandhi. Another museum is also planned at Bhimrad, 70-km from Dandi, where Gandhiji actually picked up the salt. "Participants were arrested before reaching Dandi. There is demand from locals that Bhimrad should also have a museum. They have a valid point," said Gandhi.

Motilal Nehru, Sardar opposed Dandi March

Mahatma Gandhi's great grand son Tushar Gandhi gave a pip into history while announcing the challenge. "Sardar Patel and Motilal Nehru had opposed the idea of Dandi March. Motilal wrote a 22-page letter on why the march would fail, but Gandhiji persisted and said 'Karke Dekhe', which is the tagline of the challenge. Sardar then became busy in planning the route and making necessary arrangements. After the march, Motilal said he would conduct satyagraha in Allahabad, but was arrested before he could start one," he said.