Mumbai Marathon: Senior citizens take active participation

Many Mumbaikars let go of their warm beds on the cold morning of January 17, to run at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. The event which saw a total of 40,000 participants this year, also noticed a huge number of senior citizens taking part.

As thousands of participants ran for causes close to their heart, be it peace, water or health, the senior citizens stood out. Thanks to their bright yellow t-shirts and shining grey hair and big smiles they wore from the starting to the finish line.

Jamu Kapaeia, an 80-year-old who took part in the Mumbai marathon for the eighth time said, "I am running for ‘Paani Bachao Desh Bachao Andolan’. I finished the marathon in one hour in the senior citizen category. I have come here alone but am going back with good vibes."

At 73 years of age, Amar Singh Chauhan has run a total of 16 marathons.

On the other hand, for Amar Singh Chauhan, aged 73, this was his 16th marathon. Hailing from Chandigarh, Chauhan stood first in his age category in 15 marathons so far. "I have participated in six marathons in Canada, four in America and six in India as I spend six months in India and the rest six with my children in Canada," said Amar.

When asked why he came all the way from Chandigarh to participate in the marathon, he laughed and said, "To become the second Fauja Singh. I run for fitness. I have never had any health issue."

This article was first published on iamin.in. For more such hyperlocal stories, visit their website.