Reshma Shetty and Girish Shetty, native of Mangaluru, being felicitated after running from Mumbai to Mangaluru (947 kms in 23 days) at Town hall in Mangaluru on Saturday.
Credit: DH photo/by Fakruddin H
Mangaluru: Reshma Shetty and Girish Shetty, natives of Mangaluru, became the first Indian couple in the world to have run from Mumbai to Mangaluru, on Saturday, covering a distance of 947 km in 23 days.
Reshma Shetty, native of Kavoor and Girish Shetty, a native of Yelinje near Kinnigoli, after ending their grueling run at Mangala stadium told DH that steps have been initiated to get their feat recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. The couple on reaching Mangaluru received a rousing welcome and were later felicitated during a programme, 'Shourya', organised by Tapasya in association with Lions Club International district, IDFC First Bank, BANMS Mangaluru taluk samithi mahila ghataka at Town hall.
Reshma and Girish who have been participating in marathons since 2018, under the guidance of trainers Haridasan Nair and Kumar Ajwani, were motivated to plan a run from Mumbai to Mangaluru after being inspired by Tapasya Trustee Naveenchandra Hegde's video on raising funds for the free Palliative Care Centre for terminally ill cancer patients--the sixth such centre in India and second such centre in Karnataka. The couple embarked on the endurance run from Mumbai on February 14.
The couple representing Mumbai has taken part in more than 30 marathons, 50 half marathons and 15 ultra marathons. Reshma, who works as General Manager in Jio in Mumbai, says the run from 'Karma bhoomi to Janma bhoomi' aimed at spreading awareness along the way about childhood cancer being curable. Reshma says they were confronted with many challenges including the oppressive heat. The couple used to begin their run from 4.20 am and ended it around 12 pm after covering 42.195 kms (nearly one marathon).
When not running the couple were giving presentations to Banks, colleges, Lions International, Rotary International, district Administrators among others and creating instagram reels on childhood cancer being Curable. While running through the ghats, the couple found it hard to find accommodation and food at the right time. Reshma revealed that throughout the run, they did not suffer any injuries due to the blessings of 'Kateel Appe'.
The constant enquiries about our progress while on the run from my mother Kusuma Shetty, mother-in-law Rathi Shetty, Tapasya Founder and Managing Trustee Sabitha R Shetty acted as a sheer motivation," Reshma recollected. District Governor Bharathi B M, Aasare Charitable Trust Chairperson Dr Asha Jyothi Rai, District Juvenile Justice Board member Sachita Nandagopal, Film Director and Actor were felicitated by MLA D Vedavyas Kamath. Consultant Paediatric Haematologist Dr Harsha Prasad L was also present.