I have always looked forward to running Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. I used to think its energy and vibe is one the best that such events can offer – until I ran SCMM for the first this year. In Mumbai, a city where I was told people are indifferent and “no-nonsense”, I was pleasantly met with folks in huge numbers, who had no reason for being there, come out and enthusiastically cheer for total strangers. It was heart-warming to say the least. In fact the overall experience of the event was so good that I didn’t feel the need to put on my head phones even once. Here is why I think every Delhi runner actually all runners should run SCMM atleast once –
1) You get to run 5.6 km on the scenic Bandra-Worli sea link.
image from Google
2) Only in Mumbai would crowds at the 5th km mark shout out “only 37Km to go”. Only 37? Yeah, right! But love them for saying it.
3) For the two cool zones in the last 5 km stretch at 30 degrees with harsh sun shining down on you.
4) People of all ages offering food – dates, oranges, watermelon, biscuits, chocolates – and even ice; and cheering you during the entire stretch of 42km!
5) You get to distract yourself at the Peddar road incline by talking about the ugliness of Antilia with a fellow runner. And once again on your way back if you are running the full!
One of the uglier pic I got from google!
6) You will find kids most enthusiastic about giving high fives as you cross Mahim. And if you miss one of them and they shout – “Arre! Miss kar diya Aunty!!”
7) You get a glimpse of Siddhivinayak Temple, Haji Ali, Chowpati, Queen’s Necklace – all in one run. (And twice if you running the full!)
8) People hold up funny placards to keep you going…my favourite being – “Run fast! I just farted!”
And I tried!
9) Post the run, you get a chance to bring the roof down at excellent hangouts like Café Leopold and Café Mondegar.
Hulla
with some awesome runners
10) Women runners get a free volini massage and stretching by Reebok instructors.
The after-glow of running 🙂
27 Comments
Very well written and very entertaining! And i see tht even with your awesome fitness, u don’t take offence to being called “aunty.” :-P. All the best for your future runs!
Thank you Shweta 🙂 Aunty toh hai hee hum, how long can I live in denial 🙂
Very well written Anupriya. Simple and Straight. And that, that was my favourite placard as well.
Anu,Good Read simply well describe
why are you ANTI ANTILLA!!
Thanks Migma, I’m not anti Antilia, but how can a 27 storey tower be someone’s home?
Very well written Anupriya.Though it was fun running there along with the energy. Though at many points I cried after seeing the hospitality from Mumbai people.It was really fun running there.Will run everytime now to see such hospitality.Now lets plan for Gurgaon event in October. Keep running & motivate people around you.
Absolutely Vipul. I don’t see why Gurgaon can’t make it to the list of must-do marathons in India. Thank you.
Hey Anupriya, awesome write up… It’s always very inspiring to read … Keep it up…
Thanks Sharmistha 🙂 you will be hooked to running in no time
Antilia is definitely an ugly building in more ways than one.
The fact that you put efforts to find a picture that does justice to the reality, makes me respect you even more.
You have a very strong pen.
Keep running and please keep writing.
Thank you Ravi 🙂
Makes me wanna do a full…….!!!
Your blogs are a treat!
I had registered for the full but could not go this year. Gives me more impetus to not-miss next year’s SCMM.
Thanks Manav for taking time out to read my articles. All the best for your training for SCMM 2016 🙂 More power.
Every bit true !!I got cheered with a”Yellow Tshirt Nani!” ….and loved it!!
Thank you Dr Nayar for reading my blog 🙂
Hey Anupriya, could relate to every bit of that description. Wonderfully written.
What a brilliant host city !! the enthusiasm and loud cheer of every Mumbaikar along the way make up for every ounce of lost adrenalin required to finish the gruelling 42Kms.
I wonder what had kept me away from SCMM all these years, would love to keep going back…and finish it each time with the well deserved indulgence at lunch with runner friends and comforting foot massages 🙂
Thank you Raja…SCMM every year for us 🙂
Come and stay here, u’d write down 100 reasons why you love the city. Before i moved in, someone told me, “You’ll get addicted to the city”. I BSed him… 9 years in this city and i don’t know where to go next. Loved reading the piece..
Thanks Nikhil 🙂
I remember that sign. “run fast. I just farted”. I was in my 35th km and still couldn’t help giggling..
U r a writer! U have a very good pen. Keeping running as well as writing!
U r an amazing writer. Keep running as well as writing!
Hiee Anupriya maam. ,Awesum description ..very well described glimpses of Mumbai and the love for the run can be felt. Reading this would make any person feel motivated to go for 42 K for sure… You are a true inspiration to one and all! All the best!!!keep running!!
Thank you so much Ramesh 🙂
Anu…again a very neat write up..I’m a blind runner, i never realized we cross so many wonderful spots.This time ,I would ensure to keep my eyes wide open and for sure would look around ,Indeed,Mumabi sight seeing while we run!!! exhilarating experience
Cheers !!! looking forward to see you soon in SCMM 2016 🙂
I don’t particularly take pride in being a Mumbaikar. But this blog highlights such a lovely picture of the joy that the citizens bring, and that too, without being obligated. It was a great read! It makes me glad that Mumbai could be one of the nicer places in our country. And also makes me consider being in this crowd the next time.