Braving cold, they ran for a cause

The 7th edition of Bengaluru Midnight Marathon on Saturday saw enthusiastic participation from people of all walks of life, age and calling. The participants ranged from professionals runners, professionals in MNCs to common people citing their own reasons for joining the annual affair.

Birendar Singh, an employee at a private company, came all the way from Hyderabad, dressed in Spiderman costume. Asked why he was dressed thus, he quipped: “I am cheering for Superman from the sidelines. We both are here to propagate the rights of children separated from their fathers. A volunteer with an NGO, Singh was referring to his friend who was with him. For Avani Tantry, a four-time national champion (under 14 years) in 3,000 metres, the event was a practice session for her next event in Nashik in the coming weeks. “I am here more to enjoy the experience”, she said.       

A group of  52 students from an English coaching school Gadak had come to boost their confidence while interacting with others in the language. "We are are happy and delighted," said Shivaling Naik, in perfect English. Mostly PUC passouts, many were in their second month of training. "Before, I would have been silent if anyone asked me a question in English. I could not speak a single word. Now I can go on and on. We are hoping to talk to people here," said Durgappa, another student.

Despite dipping temperatures more and more turned up in their running gear.

 Meanwhile, amid a band that was playing at the venue, three men in their 50's were absorbing the growing crowd. Employees in a bank, Raja Naik, 59, Rajesh, 53, and Narayah, 55, were there to get a feel of the "excitement of a marathon". "We have been working for 20 years now and although we are not from the same branch, we meet each other here and there. We are here to participate in the five-km run," said Naik.

Organised by Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor, the event kicked off with 1-km run at 6 pm, 5-km run at 8 pm, a 

10-km run at 10 pm and finally the highlight, Midnight Marathon of 42 km. Other runs like half marathon and women's relay and corporate relay also took place past midnight.