MARATHAN RUN ON 18.5.2008

Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore had organized a Marathan run on 18.5.08 under Harmony for Silver Foundation for Senior Citizens. More than 5000 Senior citizens from the nook and corner of Bangalore participated. Many senior citizens who were members of different Laughter Clubs in Bangalore also participated.
The organizers had made elaborate arrangements to pick up the Senior Citizens from their respective areas. A couple of days before the event, the organizers distributed applications for registration . Each participant had to pay a registration fee of Rs.100/- for registration.
As part of the event, the organizer’s distributed bags containing certain items manufactured by Sun feast to all the participants and also distributed an Event Hand Book containing entry passes, health tips and guidelines.
An Ambulance and a team of doctors were at our disposal and they were moving all along our run way route to meet any eventuality .
On the day of the event ,the designated bus picked us at 6.15.am and by the time we reached Kanteerava Stadium, the venue of the event it was 6.45.am. There were already many participants waiting at the gate to gain entry into the stadium . Those with entry passes were allowed inside . On all the places one could find volunteers manning the respective counters with display boards to help the participants. In addition, there were anchor persons to remind participants to collect their ‘T’ Shirts and to have snacks and coffee/tea.
As part of the programmed, some senior citizens were invited to the dais to explain their experience in keeping good health. All of them without any exception emphasized the advantage of regular walking and exercise for physical fitness. The practice of meditation was also highlighted .
At 8.25 am, the anchor person at the dais announced the call for Marathan Run . At 8.30.am,a Cine Actor Mr.Ganesh who made a name in Kannada Film Industry inaugurated the event by himself participating in the initial run.
A huge gathering of senior citizens above 60 participated in the Marathan Race. People on either side of the road were watching the event and cheering up the participants . The run was for about 8 k.m from Kanteerava Stadium, passing through K.S.C.A. stadium, Cubbon Park, G.P.O. High Court, Vidhana Soudha, State Public Library, Hutson Circle and back to the venue of the event.
All along the vantage points , many sponsors of the event like King Fisher,Wipro, S.B.I etc had made counters to serve packaged drinking water and also Glucose water to the participants.
As the entire stretch of the road was congested with the participants, some of us could not run. However, we could walk certain distance wherever possible and run the remaining.
On our arrival after the run, we were served with a good break fast. While we were busy in eating, the organiser’s announced prizes for those who participated in the Lucky draw and also in the Marathan Run. Apart from this, there were many cultural events for the participants.
After the culmination of the event, the designated buses picked up the participants to their respective destination. However, we could not get into the said bus as there was confusion as the entire area was crowded and blocked with vehicles. Hence self and other friends took autos to reach our destination instead of waiting for bus.
By and large the event was very fine and we enjoyed it.