If how to start running is the question, the answer is just get out the door and run. Running is the easy part but deciding how to run, where and for how long is the tough part. That’s where we step in. We started with a group of twelve people and now have over a thousand members. Even if you have not run or exercised for ages, are over 40, or consider yourself overweight and not very fit, check with your doctor, get a clean chit and join our group of runners,” says Arvind Bharathi, manager of Runners for Life, a community of people who run to get fit.
“We have people between the ages 73 and 18 who are dedicated members. They meet up at least once a week and run together in different parts of the City. Running in Bangalore is quickly becoming a popular community based social activity that keeps its members fit,” he adds.

Runners for life is organising Mformation Urban Stampede, a corporate relay spectacle of twenty kilometres to be held on August 10. The event will take place at Olde Bangalore Resort situated near the Bangalore International Airport. Each team will have four people representing their company or organisation and will run a total of twenty kilometres. The format is different as each runner will run a distance of 2.5 kms to finish his or her quota of 5 kms.
“Running  is becoming a popular activity in Bangalore and there are different groups who meet in various parts of the City, network socially and run together. Many want to start running but they are afraid of non-athletic friends comparing them to athletes on TV with rippling muscles and washboard stomachs. Once you start running it’s the quickest way to get fit and you will get addicted quite easily,” says Bhaskar Sharma, director of Mformation and an enthusiastic runner.

Part of the proceeds from Mformation Urban Stampede will go towards Dream A Dream, a charitable trust that teaches disadvantaged children the soft skills necessary to complement their basic training and education.

Jackie Pinto