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Grit, guts and gumption in 'dna ican Women's Half-Marathon'

They are fierce. They are strong. They are fitness-conscious. Close to 6,000 were registered to run in the dna ican Women's Half-Marathon on Sunday morning at the crack of dawn, this International Women's Day. Young and old ran together. Some were slow and others fast, but each of them, celebrating the spirit of womanhood, ran with a single message: stay fit.

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They are fierce. They are strong. They are fitness-conscious. Close to 6,000 were registered to run in the dna ican Women's Half-Marathon on Sunday morning at the crack of dawn, this International Women's Day. Young and old ran together. Some were slow and others fast, but each of them, celebrating the spirit of womanhood, ran with a single message: stay fit.

The dna ican half-marathon underscores a citywide trend, and experts confirm it: more and more women from Mumbai are taking to recreational running. "About ten professional athletes run the marathon; the majority of them are normal women who are house makers, entrepreneurs or women working in various jobs. They train every day, taking time out from their daily responsibilities and run enthusiastically," said Venkat Raman, a professional pacer at full and half marathons, who turned up to encourage the runners.

These recreational women runners may train between four to six days a week and run for an hour or more to become fit for participation in marathons.

Natasha Tuli, an entrepreneur in her mid-thirties, who stays in Bandra, started running marathons three years ago. Last year, Tuli suffered from brain haemorrhage after hitting a pillar. A subsequent surgery, though, could not stop her from running in the dna event. "I have been running marathons back to back this week. I ran a Nike marathon on the day of Holi and then, the next day, I ran 10 kms in the dna ican marathon. The more you run, the more energy you derive," said Tuli.

The half-marathon on Sunday epitomised the spirit of women who never give up. Suyogita Kathe, 39, has been coping with back-to-back attacks of breast and then ovarian cancer for the past six years. At present, she is on chemotherapy, and that did not deter her from hitting the streets. Kathe's 10-year-old daughter Vaibhavi ran with her for support.


 

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