"Running is boring if you have to do it everyday, twice a day," says Uttarakhand's Kiran Tiwari (25) from Western Railway who won the Half marathon in 1 hour 24 minutes.
"You need immense discipline to be able to practise so much," adds the marathoner whose favourite place to run is Ooty. This was her first DNA I Can marathon.
She has participated in marathons across the country, runs on a regular basis and when she read about the I Can marathon online, she realised she had to participate, because this marathon was only 'for' women.
Tiwari is a bronze medallist of the 2009 Asian Championships in China in the 3000 metre staple running. She trains at the Sports Authority of India campus in Bangalore and looks up to Sudha Singh who is also a marathon runner.
In an interview with DNA, she said that she hates running on treadmills though it she's noticed that it is in trend these days.
"Running on the field or road helps strengthen one's calf muscles whereas a treadmill weakens them."
She talks about her second passion: I love swimming and think it's a great way to train yourself for the marathon, it helps in increasing stamina and endurance.
When asked what was so different about this win, she said, "This race is for women, everything added up, the climate was cool and comfortable to lead me into an easy win."
Winners of the 21km run:
1. Kiran Tiwari, Race timing: 1:24:4
2. Nilam Rajput, Race timing 1:28:3
3. Nikite Nagpure, Race timing, 1:29:1
4. Rashmi Gurnule, Race timing, 1:33:6
5. Sunite Wasghmode, Race timing, 1:36:2
