The 1st Shimla Running And Living Half Marathon - Oct 4th 2009
More pictures to view or download online at (taken by our photographers - Shalini, Rahul, Neerav and Rana)
If you have taken snaps and uploaded them online, send me the link which I will share with the group.
This is a long read with many photo links so sit back with your chai - and relive the expereince.
103 Half Marathoners ran in probably the most scenic half marathon in the world - The Shimla Running And Living Half Marathon on 4th October 2009. They raced down from the flagpole on the Ridge, past the Municipal Corporation office and Scandal point, to get to the steep downhill on the mall - past the Railway Board Building, and then Gorton's Castle, The Vidhan Sabha, to the Ambedkar Post office.
This downhill sprint was light in energy burn, but taxing on the knees, as positions got shuffled around a bit on the climb to Peterhof hotel, with a descent post the porch and then back again to the Ridge. This return, especially the last 2 km was really tough as the road got steeper, closer to Scandal Point and the Ridge.
Shri VC Pharka - Principal Secretary - Himachal Pradesh for Youth Services and Sports - flagged off the half marathon at exactly 7am and followed it up with flagging off the 6km run at 730am, which comprised over 250 runners. Many schools participated in this 6km run, as did a few people from outside the State. This too, was a more gruelling course than any other, most runners had experienced.
They too followed the same route to the Peterhof Hotel, but the return was tough. Climbing up past the Cecil Hotel and the Army Training Command and The DC's office and finally a steep climb upto the CTO and beyond Scandal point, brought the 6km runners to their destination, as the half marathoners whizzed by the juice corner, and down the steep 100m to the mall. They continues past Clarke's Hotel, the High Court and then up to Oak Over and Raj Bhawan. That was the second set of uphills on the route, which then flattened out a bit and continued along the scenic Forest Hill Road till Bedes Chowk.
Water and Electral were provided to the runners by the Team from Raid-De-Himalaya, as an ambulance stood by to help, as needed. The CMO had provided 3 ambulances at The Ridge, Peterhof and Bedes Chowk. Watchful eyes of vigilant doctors, looked for fatigued runners. The Traffic Police had heavily manned the section where the runners hit the Circular Road for a stretch of 50m. The Volunteers then beckoned the runners to take the left fork up towards Indus hospital, at which point most shook their heads in disbelief, because this was the steepest section of the route, going up towards Indus Hospital.
"Even after all these years, running continues to amaze me. Mostly in its ability to clarify - to make things OK and bring you back down to earth, even when things are insane. Especially when things are insane. "
Mark Remy, Executive Editor, runnersworld.c
Well things were insane at this point - and very humbling. Everyone was 'brought down to earth'
Running paces went down to half the speed and another 100m further turned into a brisk walk, and another 100m later, into a panting, laboured, walk. This was the time to enjoy the view of the forested track. Thank God for the Electral before the climb!
Then finally came flatter sections and a steep downhill towards Indira Gandhi Medical College, and a gradual slope through Lakkad Bazar nd back to the Ridge where there were a few cheering, and the by now familiar faces of the volunteers. It felt good to be on the Ridge and soak in the expanse, and then the view, which however was misted up. Perfect running weather though. 13km down and 8.1 to go.
So back downhill to the Peterhof, which for most was a welcome blessing, as breath and timing were both regained a bit, as the infamous Shimla monkeys scurried for cover. They had not seen so many humans running on the road, and they decided to stay off for a while. Water and Electral at the Scenic Peterhof where the hotel staff and volunteers were doing a great job of managing hydration, photographs, cheering and timing, along with the medical team which had an ambulance on the ready. Coming back up from Vidhan Sabha to the Ridge was another very tough section because of the steady uphill, which was reasonably severe and the runners were much more tired than on their first time around on that section. But the sight of Scandal point was a relief as the flat Ridge was nearby, even though not yet in sight.
Water and volunteers and cheering teams outside Ashiana, brought welcome relief. 2km and a bit to go.
A steep descent to the Mall and then past Indira Gandhi Sports Centre, The Clarkes and the High Court, got the runners to arrive at the 20.05 mark which was the turn around point. The last 1km was a matter of so near and yet so far, as the path was quite steep, the runners were exhausted, and several were walking at this stage. The final 100m up from the Mall to the Ridge was as steep as the Indus climb. Mixed feelings of - 'Oh my Gosh! 'to 'The end is near' and several variations which would be less diplomatic, rushed through each runners minds, as they reached the Ridge and got a gleaming Gold Medal on their neck, a packet of biscuits and then glugged some water as they cooled off and collected their certificates against the backgrop of the Church - Thank God it's over!!
Everyone was a winner. You did it!!
Each runner had experienced the beauty and history and the toughness that Shimla had to offer.
They had run the most beautiful half marathon in the world - The Runningandliving.com Half, in Shimla.
The Gold medal had the Church etched into it and each runner had this run, etched into his/her memory.
The Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh - Shri Gill, gave away the plaques for the first 5 placed in the 2 runs and hoped that these runs would be a more regular feature both in Shimla and the rest of the State. He was accompanied by Director of Sports Mr Katwal, and Suman Rawat - India's champion marathoner, from the DYSS, who helped in coordinating permissions for the run.
Adesh Kumar ran an amazing 1:27:10 to set the course record. Definitely 20 minutes or so, slower than a flat marathon in the plains. He was closely followed by Sachin Kumar, 1 second behind him, who inturn had Shiv Singh, a second behind him. What a photo finish to a gruelling run.
Our 60 volunteers from all over the country did a stellar job of keeping things moving and making the experience memorable. Thanks.
A special thanks to Emily, Raji, Anita, Jagdish, Pooja, Amardeep and team from Shimla, Reyhan and team from S Delhi Polytechnic, Sanjay and team from Raid de Himalaya, Roshan Thakur and Team from Ashiana, SS Thakur and the team from Peterhof, Alice and team, and several others who did a stupendous job. This is what made this run special.
Shimla Runningandliving.com Half Marathon Desk clocks
You saw the clocks, and then it was a race against time after the finish, to catch your bus, train or plane connection. Many of you said you were interested in purchasing one or more - we can courier this to your address. Just email us at contactus@runningandliving.com
Your postal address and mobile
Number of clocks wanted
A cheque payable in Delhi for Rs 600/- per clock - all inclusive, favouring - Running And Living Infotainment Pvt. Ltd. mailed to 132 Vista Villas, Sector 46, Gurgaon 122003, Haryana
We are looking for someone to start running groups in Shimla and around?
Let us know if you run at least once a week and would like to lead a runningandliving.com running group in your neighbourhood
See you next October, each with another 10 friends and lets get Himachal Pradesh and India, running!
