CTC’s Buckingham Canal Marathon – Is there a message behind this Run?

Chennai trekkers known for organising trekking expeditions in and around south India entered the foray of organising their maiden Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 k, 5 k and kids run to ‘celebrate running’ as an organised sport and to provide a platform for running and ‘aspiring running’ communities to unleash their hidden potentials. With non-element of profit involved in this running festival, the cost of registration for the event was Rs. 100 might be the lowest registration fee in recent times I have come across for a running event.

 Members of Chennai Runners the largest and most active running group in Tamil Nadu dominated all the major events. The full marathoners lined up at Tidel as early as 4.30 a.m flew away like bullets from the gun at 5.00 a.m with drizzles drenching them, strong were their legs they ran 2 kms extra and covered 44 kms to get their well deserved medals. Legendary Runners like Bosco, Ram, Ramani, Bala, Neville, Athma and few others were real inspiration to observe, they left an indelible mark in our minds.

The Race Day

The event witnessed 509 runners participating in various categories with 130 running 5 kms, 132 running 10 kms, 170 running half marathons, 24 running full marathons and 53 kids running their respective events.

The race started with the blessings of nature god in the form of gentle drizzles encouraging the runners. The climate was extraordinarily brilliant for Chennai’s weather conditions, a cool and cloudy day allowing most of the runners to run without exhausting too much from the typical Chennai’s tropical climate.

Scores and scores of runners and their family members assembled at the Buckingham canal to test their running potentials and others to cheer the runners. Running along the mud trail must have been a break for runners who are used to roads. However, the locals starred at the runners like spotting a ‘collared Pratincole’ a very rare visitor to the Shollinganallur wetlands.

Pulling the strings from Behind:

We had small teams formed for refreshments, medical (first-aid), time keeping, photography, BIB distribution, registration, U-turn check, Transportation, Kids run support, crowd management, vehicle management and baggage handling headed by our senior organisers. Out of their personal and professional commitment the team lead by the organisers worked day and night to make this event happen.

 

To recollect few energetic moments, Jayabalan a chartered accountant by profession tirelessly visited the office of Commissioner of Police, Egmore and successfully convinced the police officials and obtained permission to conduct this event amidst his personal and professional commitments. Nandan had to take off from his office to arrange for first-aid kits and I could see the happiness in his face when he ran alongside the kids. Most of the volunteers did not sleep Saturday night and worked throughout the night to make this event happen. Each and every volunteer who were the backbone for this event exhibited selfless volunteering spirit. In simple words if not for their time and effort this running festival would not have happened.

 A picture speaks louder than words:

I was planning to complete back-to-back Half marathons and things were looking strong I completed Chitoor trail marathon and was returning to Chennai on 6.10.2012 on the hope that out of the huge pool of talented CTC photographers there would be few people who will ‘bail me out’ and help me achieve this feat. But unfortunately myself and Rajini after several mails and posts found it difficult to rope in photographers; simply, everyone had their own excuses. Forgoing my dream I started my hunt for photographers.

The first hope came in when OMI said “AM IN” on Friday night a small ray of light came in, whether this would be sufficient to capture the emotions of 100’s of runners I was perplexed. I buzzed Nivya on Saturday evening she said ‘Count me In’, although she had muscle cramps.

Now I was little happy that from 2 photographers we have grown into four but still, could we do justice to the event kept bugging me and my hunt for photographers continued. I posted event invites in various FB photography groups the moderators swiftly removed my post. It was then Britto Thomas updated his mobile number to Rajini’s update on CTC FB group I called him immediately he said Dude don’t worry I will be at Tidel at 4.30 a.m. I felt happy that we have one more ‘PAIR OF EYES’ to capture the event.

BANG the magic moment came I received a call from our Gowri Shankar of Makka Studios that he has a very important deliverable at office and if he his able to deliver before 2 a.m he will be there at Tidel 4.30 a.m a true “CTC Spirit”. Gowri came with a camera worth Rs. 1.8 lakhs and without him you and me would not have seen the early morning moments of Full marathon.

Our main photographers did a great job in covering the event. Am proud to have worked with a team like this and happy that the running and non-running community will get a better feel of what CTC BCM 2012 through our “Third Eye”. Picture speaks louder than words and yes we did it.

Magnificent Buckingham Canal – Needs a facelift:

The incredible Buckingham Canal running across the entire length of Chennai city is yet another classic example of how we treat our natural resource. If restored and maintained well this could be a training ground for off-road cyclists, trail runners, walkers, bird watchers and photographers.

Polluted by mankind now the Canal stands as a witness of how man can pollute natural resource in the form of human waste, dumping yards by local vendors of ECR and OMR, burning ground of collected garbage, may be this run indirectly highlighted the ‘ever deteriorating condition of this natural treasure’. The message that there exist a remarkable running, cycling trail around Chennai has reached masses, will this be restored is a sincere hope of the outdoor community.

On the whole, I see the extra-ordinary volunteering spirit exhibited by Chennai Trekkers as a gift to the ‘running community’ from the trekking community.

Happy Volunteering,

Durai Murugan