The Indian Marathon Season

The Indian Marathon season has kicked-off in a grand style, with the Mumbai Marathon becoming one of the most publicised event both in terms of media-coverage and sponsorships that flew in for this event in addition the immense popularity exhibited by the spirited city-dwellers of all classes. The Marathon events are capturing the imagination of one and all in the country with the Span India Marathon taking off in every major Indian city.

I have been a witness to the Hyderabad half-Marathon in December, the most popular event being the 10k run round the scenic Hussain-Sagar lake, with lots of participation from the corporates and local enthusiasts alike. Compare the event to full marathon in a bigger city like Mumbai its un-imaginable.

History/Factoids

The marathon is a long-distance running event of 42.195 kilometres that can be run either as a road race or off-road.
The name marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek soldier, who ran the distance of nearly 40km from a town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon.It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the Senate, exclaiming "nike!", the Greek word for victory, before collapsing and dying due to exhaustion.

An interesting Video book - Spirit and Expereinces



Records
Men's best - 2h 10m
Women's best -2h 30m

Care during the Run
-Ensure one has enough of training and 100% rest a couple of days before the race day.
- Drink sufficient amount of water not less not more - 3 litres to control dehydration and hyponatremia (coma, seizures)
- Fatique due to non-availability of Glycogen, and burning of Fat.
- Post Marathon Increase consumption of Vitamin C diet and avoid usage of Ibuprofen or Advil.

Having said that I could only imagine when will I be able to train myself to such fitness levels and participate atleast in a half-marathon.

Useful Links

Mumbai Marathon - http://mumbaimarathon.com/ - January

Delhi Marathon - http://www.delhimarathon.com/ - February

The Great Tibetan Half Marathon - http://www.great-tibetan-marathon.com/ - July

Taj Mahal Marathon - http://www.taj-mahal-marathon.com/

Chennai Marathon - http://www.chennaimarathon.org/

Kolkata Marathon - http://www.kolkatamarathon.com/

Bangalore Midnight Marathon - http://www.coindia.com/pe.html - December

Pune Marathon - http://www.puneinternationalmarathon.com/ - December

Hyderabad 10k, Half Marathon - http://www.hyderabad10k.com/ - December