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Conquering together what is more difficult than conquering mountains

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Over 30 people talk casually to model-actor Milind Soman once he is done addressing them. On Saturday morning, Soman was at Shivaji Park ground, Dadar, sharing his experience on barefoot running with members of Shivaji Park Marathon Club (SPMC), that he is part of.

"It has certain advantages. It allows your body to directly respond to the ground. The correct way to run becomes a natural response to the body and each finds his way to run properly," he explained of the brave act of running long distances barefoot - a trend that is catching up. Soman was not the first person to share his experience with the club members who are now over 400 in number.

A growing community, running enthusiasts have been forming clubs so that they can train better, lead a healthy life style, build confidence, live their passion in a joyful way and not to mention - conquer what is difficult than conquering mountains. "The idea of running is to de-stress. When you run with people and talk to them, running becomes easier. But there are days when I run in the opposite direction so that a competition mode does not creep in and we enjoy the run," said Kunal Parekh, a 38-year-old IT professional who has been part of the group since the last four years and runs barefoot.

The formation of the club has an interesting story to it. Kunal, and many others like him, became part of the SPMC when they shared knowing glances with regular newbies who would come for practice, until their trainer took the initiative. "It was during this time that I give them advice on how to run and build their stamina," said Ravi Sharma, a 66-year-old resident of the area who started the club. Sharma, an ex-merchant navy person, formed the club in a rather interesting way.

Once, he came across a patient in an ambulance stuck in heavy traffic and felt he that he should help such people. In order to raise money for a cardio ambulance, he thought of running a marathon. "I ran three marathons with corporate sponsorship. I raised some money and put the rest from my own pocket," said Sharma adding, "It was at this juncture that the idea of forming the club cropped up when I helped people in their running."

Since most runners in any club are pro, the discussion often drifts to the timing and which challenge to look up to whenever they meet. "We take pride in having sent 11 of our runners to one of the toughest marathons – the Comrade Marathon," said Dr. Shirish Kataria, who heads MIG Top Gear club, another club of runners and health enthusiasts.He has himself finished 42 kms runs.

"There was a time when you felt that 42 km is a long distance. But it is really about confidence," said Kataria. Now runners like Kunal look to complete the grueling Ironman Triathlon that includes swimming, cycling and running. Sharma at 66, looks to do another marathon, considered to be toughest, that stretches to 60 hours, called the Badweather Ultra Marathon. "Conquering mountains is easier than this one, goes the saying," said Sharma.

As a small step to conquer these Himalayan tasks, the groups makes it a point to run together. "We make sure that we all go for a long run once a week just to enjoy being part of the passion we share. It makes the run joyful and turning mental block of long runs into a breezy affair," said Pranav Mehta, another runner.

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