Vinod Rawat has been participating in the marathon for the past ten years with the aid of an artificial limb.
Thirty eight-year-old Vinod Rawat is a regular runner at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon with a difference.
He has been participating in the marathon for the past ten years with the aid of an artificial limb.
“I lost my left limb in an accident when I was six-years-old. I had to struggle a lot till the age of 25. I used to dream about climbing mountains and becoming an athlete,” he said.
Rawat’s life changed in 1997 when he was provided an artificial limb by Bhagvan Mahaveer Vikalang Sahita Samiti, an NGO. He started running and riding a bike following that.
“Many people made fun of me. They told me that a physically disabled person like me shouldn’t be so adventurous. But nothing can stop me,” said Rawat.
He enrolled himself in a mountaineering academy three years ago and has climbed almost all the mountains in the state.
He rode his bike from the city to Ladakh in 2011 along with a few others and raised funds to build houses for the poor in Ladakh.
Rawat, who wishes to climb Mount Everest, said, “My goal is to drive the taboo associated with the physically challenged away. I want to train such people and motivate them to participate in athletics.” He added that though it will be difficult, he is confident that he will climb the Everest one day.
In the first year of the marathon, Rawat participated in the wheelchair category. In the second year, he participated in the seven kilometre run.
And for the past six years, he has been participating in the 21km half marathon.
“The marathon is where I first met my wife,” said Rawat, who is father of two, adding that he looks forward to taking part in the marathon every year.
He has been practising dedicatedly for the marathon this year near his house in Vashi.
“I run for five hours every day. I plan to complete the run in less than three hours, something which I couldn’t accomplish last time.”
Rawat wouldn’t be short of motivation as he will be running with his wife this year.
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