Auroville Marathon attracts runners from far and near

14th Auroville Marathon attracts over 3,000 runners from various cities, emphasizing joy of running over competition.

Sports and fitness enthusiasts from far and near participated in the 14th edition of the Auroville Marathon that was held in various distance categories on Sunday.

Proportionate to the rising popularity of the marathon, which is one of the flagships events in Auroville, and the increase in the numbers of participants over the years, the level of organisational challenge has also been going up. This year, over 3,000 runners, including over 650 women, registered for the “Run for the Joy of Running” marathon.

In addition to deployment of police personnel, internal vehicular traffic coordination and at some of the remote entrances to Auroville, the arrangements included bib collection counters for registrants, control rooms and aid stations staffed with a doctor and two nurses to tackle medical emergencies and an army of about 500 volunteers to oversee the event.

The participants at the marathon, which commenced from the Auroville Visitor Center and concluded at the Football Ground, hailed from Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Besides, scores of runners from Auroville and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram took part in the event pushing the estimated number of runners to about 5,000, Auroville said.

Jayanti S. Ravi, Secretary of Auroville Foundation flagged off each of the races and also stood near the finish line to receive the proud finishers.

Among several regulars who have unfailingly participated in successive editions of the Auroville Marathon, was Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian. Incidentally, the run also marked his 150th marathon, and the milestone was celebrated almost as a sub-theme to an event that is held in esteem among runners.

The distance segments that were launched in a staggered manner were the 42.195 km/ 26.219 mile run, the half marathon (21.0975 km/13.1094 mile) and a 10k run. Several school children from Auroville participated with family and friends in the 5 km open run/walk.