RFL Mumbai Runners party till midnight

2010 could be marked as a watershed year in the history of running in Mumbai – the coming of age of many runners – running groups abuzz with activity, people travelling together to other destinations to run, races & treks being organized within Mumbai and beyond. All these activities picked up stream throughout the year and culminated in a magnificent performances by all runners – smashing their personal bests or conquering the beast that is called “full marathon” either during the year or immediately thereafter in the standard chartered Mumbai marathon in jan 2011.

While this was going on, a need was felt for a post run runners party by some of the runners – a stray conversation developed into a full blown project. Whereas Milton Frank it was, who mooted the idea while an online conversation with Dan, Arvind Bharati and myself, the idea again picked up speed somewhere during the post Bandra-NCPA breakfast get-together. SCMM was identified as a marquee event, at least for the Mumbai runners and it was therefore decided to do something immediately after the Mumbai event which was scheduled for 16th January. The date of Saturday, 22nd January 2011 was selected as the probable date because of its proximity to the marquee event and also being a Saturday, people could wind down and relax with nothing to do on Sunday.

Arvind and his RFL team at Bangalore were euphoric that such an event was being thought about and gave us permission to use RFL name in the certificates, banners etc.

What is a party without there being some kind of awards in it. So, in order to encourage runners it was decided to do a Hall of Famer kind of list where the runners who have come in the top 5 positions in any event during the calendar year 2010 were to be given some kind of awards. We called it the Hall of Fame list to impart some element of uniqueness to it. But we still needed something – what was that? While thinking of some kind of zing to the awards thing, a thought struck – why not runners themselves choose who they considered were the best runners of the year 2010 through an online polling which was to be secret. Being a completely democratic concept this thought was floated around and found immediate acceptance from all the group leaders and therefore was put in place through a web based online polling form which asked runners to give three preferences to their choice of best male/ female runners of 2010. No specific criteria was pointed out, save that performances for 2010 was to be considered.

That done and completed – the actual nitty gritty of having the runners party doomed large on us – we
formed a core group of people like Giles, Milton & myself to bring this to fruition. While locating a party hall proved to be tough logistical nightmare, Bhasker Desai came up with the idea of hosting the party at the Juhu Vileparle Gymkhana Club of which he was the member. Location seen, liked, chosen, booked and paid – DONE

Certificates – Milton got the design done by his agency gratis, printing done by Mani also gratis – Merci both of you

Trophies – Milton & Giles scouted around for suitable trophies even while time was running out on us – Milton got the legend embedded on the trophies again through his agencies – Milton may your agencies double their turnover this year and you too.

 Music – Apurva Shah agreed to lend his PC and Ajit Singh agreed to act as the unofficial DJ (this is probably your true calling Ajit) and get the hardware and support for the same.

Program – Milton & Radhika got down to the brass tacks of preparing a program sheet for the evening with games, dances, performances et al.

The entire team of Milton, Giles, Radhika, Apurva shah, Ajit, Mani & Qureshi were meticulous to the last detail and terribly hardworking to ensure no hiccups whatsoever.

We had almost the entire running fraternity (belonging to RFL Mumbai groups) at the party yesterday at JVG Club – the party had everything – music, dances, performances, gallant speeches, trophies, drinks, food – it lasted till 11.30 p.m. the official closing time.

jan 8/9th weekend

Completed about 10.5 kms in a chillingly cold and almost freezing conditions in the dense aarey forest on saturday, 8th january 2011 - later it was reported that it was the season's coldest day at 12.4 degrees centigrade. went for an intense yoga session conducted by trained yoga teacher and a runner herself Suchita on sunday at the nike run club - large contingent of runners gathered on both days - it was rocking run - later had breakfast at kyanis place near metro cinema - little regret at not having a go at another run today i.e. sunday at mahalakshmi where the guys were literally scorching the tracks there.

Or I'll Dress you in Mourning by Collins/ Lapierre

Just finished a book "Or I'll Dress you in Mourning" by the famous pair Larry Collins & Dominque Lapierre. It is an autobiography of Manuel Benitez, a famous matador from spain - who was born in poverty and dreamt of being a bullfighter all his life - taking many twists and turns including jail sentences - finally achieved success and magnificiently so, due to daring exploits in the ring. The narration is good and the pair have done it again after their much popular "freedom at midnight" on the Indian independence.


If you look at some of the bullfights on youtube video like the one,here on Manuel Benitez, you will be appalled to note that this barbaric sport still exists in Spain and countries of south america, nothing fascinating about it. But the book is definitely good read.

Sunday, 2nd January 2011 - marine drive

Went off to Marine Drive today morning to do a short run following yesterday's huge run at the MRC. Did not join Milton's group starting from Bandra nor Kaushik's group starting from Khar. Priya came with me from Bangur Nagar so we pretty much travelled together in the early morning from goregaon station though she went by the ladies compartment. When we reached NRC, there was news that there was no NRC, so next best thing - run in the marine drive which was anyway my plan. Started off slowly testing my ITBC so the pace was deliberately kept very slow - weather was brilliant for running - early morning chill coupled with a cool breeze wafting across from the arabian sea - great place to run marine drive always bustling with runners especially at this time of the year - practising for the january marathon in Mumbai. Reached NCPA turned back,, talking comfortably taking in the early morning ethereal beauty of marine drive - its queens necklace still shining and resplendent in the early morning glory as if watiing for the queen to come by. Met Mike somewhere down the road and he returned with us and also commented on my slow pace. Went a little up the malabar hill did not like the place with all kinds of poops though a steep climb, the road was not good it was curving on the sides - difficult to keep balance. on the way back ran into sunder and then ran with him for some time, going up and down few times with rohit bansal, milton etc. finished 14.30 km in 2.01.07 hours. Had breakfast at stadium restaurant.

Why we Run by Bernd Heimrich

Just finished reading a fascinating book "Why we Run" by Bernd Heimrich. Biologist, award-winning nature writer and ultramarathoner Bernd Heimrich explores the anthropological, biological and psychological side of ultraendurance and dovetails the narrative with his own running efforts including running and winning an ultra-marathon 100 kms event - lots of insights into the sport of long distance running. Must read for all long distance runners.

New Year

Started the New year with a Bang with a 27.73 kms run at the Mahalakshmi Race Course today morning. It was chillingly cold when i reached there at 6.00 a.m. with nary a few runners or walkers all possibly fast asleep after the year end revelries in their homes, buildings, or clubs. Even the horses were absent from their early morning routine. i did not carry my water bottle which i usually do, but considering the cold it was a good decision. no need for water until 14 kms. my friend Mani came after i completed about 2.2 kms and he ran with me for about 4 kms or so, before he took flight with his speed. Qureshi came in later. 10kms done snacks break - banana taken, ear muffler taken off, chilly as usual again for 4 more kms before sun slowly starts peeping out, making its first appearance in the new year. Early morning sun at mahalakshmi race course is a magnifient sight, a bright red flame. the route was two faced in the sense that from the usual starting point to about 1 kms inward, there was a good breeze and chilly conditions when you keep going round (the ground is more or less oval shaped) the suns starts hitting you from behind. 19 kms done, second banana break - more to go, still looking good as per plan. two more loops 23.65 kms done - okay to go, should reach 32 kms with ease. another round done 25.70 kms done - okay three more rounds to go - should be easy though first signs of discomfort comes in. another loop done 27.73 kms done - decided enough was enough - the sun was not letting any more distance, since it is an open ground with no shade, it becomes difficult when the sun hits you. Ideal for training for long distance and should be a challenge in the summer. Do some post run stretches, go out for refreshments at sharda bhavan at matunga - delightful place to eat - typical udupi style - had ulundu dosa - their speciality and came back home happy with a good start to the new year.

Goa River Half Marathon

If the first edition of the Goa River Half Marathon will be long remembered by all the participants, it will be for the fact that EVERY SINGLE RUNNER FROM MUMBAI SMASHED THEIR PERSONAL BEST TIMINGS IN THE DISTANCE, despite a tough course. Not only that MOHANA came FOURTH in female veteran category, BHASKER – FIFTH in the male veteran category and TANAJI – FIFTH in the men’s open category.


As 2010 draws to a close with anxiety writ large on everybody’s minds on the forthcoming and “looming as large” Mumbai Marathon in mid-January, then they can draw tremendous satisfaction from their performances at Goa River Marathon – it was a smashing performance by the runners – as would be evident from the happy and smiling faces of the runners post the race.

Goa was planning its first ever half marathon this year under the auspices of Vasco Sports Club who roped in RFL as the consultant – a coup of sorts because then at least we, having known the credibility of RFL as a top class organizer were sure of the arrangements. True to form, the organization was excellent, with 8 water & medical stops along the route, traffic stoppages for 3 hours from the start, timely start, sufficient volunteers making this first event a well oiled one.

Vasco da Gama is a sleepy little town experiencing its first burst of developments with few skyscrapers, good roads, well stocked stores, cafes, a railway station, public library and a bustling as ever bus depot.

Giles, Milton, Bhasker, Genieve, Dr. Sharma, Ritesh Patel, Krishna, Ajit Singh, Kavin, Kaushik & gang and myself left on 17th evening by Mangalore Express – we were lucky to reach Madgaon at 7.30 a.m. next morning because Ganesh & Mohana and Ashish and his friends travelling by Konkankanya later that night were delayed by more than 5 hours reaching Madgaon only by 3.00 p.m. Bhasker, myself & Genieve started our journey from Goregaon while Krishna, Milton, Ajit & Giles came from Bandra and the others reached V.T. station by 9 p.m. V.T. station was as usual jampacked with travelers galore – each jostling for that 1 square inch of space allotted to Indians in railway stations. Much before that Bhasker came into his sparkling form as usual and gave ample evidence of his upper body strength by doing gymnastics inside the local train compartment – he continued his repartee and wit when he befriended the local taxi driver from Churchgate to VT station and queried from him about Amitabh Bachchan’s rich hair – whether it was wig or real hair and what oil should he be using – the driver had to defend Bachchan, being from his same town – Allahabad.

Indian Railways known for dividing families better than divorce courts did that to our group as well – everybody was in different compartments and it required some organizational skill and talking to get Genieve sitting near us, deprived as she was of her friends Hari & Gary. The train journey went off well again thanks to Bhasker who kept us in splits and peals of laughter throughout.

Madgaon early morning was as chilly as Mumbai in December and Vasco was just stirring to life when we descended on the Vasco Residency at around 8.30 a.m. When told that we would be given the rooms only at noon, we decided to get the other business of collecting bibs done with by then. Luckily for us, Vivek Prasad had already checked into one of the rooms previous night itself, so we could keep our luggage in his room and descend into the hotel cafeteria for a well deserved breakfast.

The cafeteria was laboriously slow in delivering the breakfast of omellete and puri bhajis and pulled their trousers and started working only when Bhasker threatened to take over the kitchen. Breakfast done, we walked down to the Vasco Sports Club which was about 10 minutes away from the restaurant. Vasco Sports Club was bustling with nervous activity, being a first time experience for them, anxiety was writ large on their faces. Bibs & chips collected, t-shirts purchased, inquiries made of the pasta party, Giles & Milton started working over the route in minute detail with the RFL guys who were there– where are the hills & bridges, how will we navigate the 5km walkers who will be encountered on the return leg etc. At the bib venue we ran into a few Haryana runners – all confident of 1.08/ 1.09 timings – confident of winning the race, provided no African runners were there.

The route started from near Baina beach and after about 20 metres there was a right turn 10 metres a left turn 500 metres first climb – a flyover over the railway tracks which sort of curved like an inverted U, came down – second hill after 4 kms which was almost like the Lonavla climbs – turning and climbing for about 1 kms, then downhill, after 6 kms it was skirting the river front all the way to 10.5 kms turnaround, third gentle slope at about 7 kms. It was an out and back route so the runners had to touch 10.5 kms and come back the same way. There were water stops every 2 kms or so and volunteers were placed all along the route directing the traffic away from the runners and also holding few water bottles in their hand. There were few volunteers with relispray moving about in motorbikes offering to runners who required them. Music was blaring at few stops and three cheer girls enthusiastically waving the runners on.

The afternoon of 18th was spent earning a few hours of well deserved siesta, while the younger lot comprising of Bijay, Ajit, Krishna, Ashok Naidu, Kavin & Genieve went to the beach & few other places to experience the town.

The organizers had arranged a pasta party at HQ a hotel adjacent to the Vasco residency so all descended on that place at about 7.30 p.m. for a fantastic pasta treat – there we met runners from Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and few foreign runners – all enthusiastic about the event. By then we came to know that two Kenyans had entered the race, so Haryana runners – there is your competition.

The organizers had arranged a bus pick up from our hotel for 5.45 a.m. so Giles had issued a dicta to every runner to be down at the hall by 5.35 a.m. Despite that there were few late comers, but we reached the start venue well before time. The start venue was abuzz with activity – there were announcements, music, people warming up – typical of any marathon – though on a much smaller scale.

We met with Bhasker’s friends Ken & Corina, Canadians who were competing in the veteran category. The male veteran category was 45 and above while the female category was 40 & above. Ken, 57 was a 1.30 half marathoner. We also met with the two Kenyans – one a tall lanky strappling lad called Robertson and the second shorter one, both fit and raring to go. We later learned that the Kenyans were robbed of all their personal belongings so they walked all the way from Verna to the race venue - a distance of 23 kms. Luckily there were no bhasans, so the race started on time at 6.45 a.m.

The weather was pleasant at the start time and stayed that way throughout except the last 5 kms when the sun started beating down harsh on the 2.30 half marathoners. The first kms itself had the railway flyover, which was quite steep and then for about 3 kms we were still inside the Vasco town navigating past surprised and sleepy eyed Vascoans or Vascoites as it may. After 4 kms we were hit by a sudden blast of chilly winds, pleasant to the runners but at the same started the second climb, which was winding and steep, much like part of the Lonavla climbs. The going was steady pace with Genieve at my side. At around 6 kms, we were skirting the Zuari river side with river barges of the Mormugoa Port Trust lying along the coast. Also around this time we met the winner Kenyan Robertson, and soon followed by two Indians and then the second Kenyan. When the second Kenyan came by, I hollered, “come on Kenya” and he had time to give a wide toothful smile. Tanaji was lying 6th at this stage, followed by other returnees, Bhasker, Milton, Rajesh Poojari, Giles Drego, Dr. Sharma & others. Gul Panang and her trainer had gone slightly ahead but on the return loop, she had slowed down. I was with Genieve upto 10.5 kms turnabout testing my ITBS left knee whether it could hold on. With weather showing good signs and knee holding up, I decided to up my pace on the return leg, and hollered Gen to stay with me. The weather was holding good and I slowly started ticking of one runner after another I had passed by, (final count about 22 runners whom I passed on the return leg), the killer climb came by at after 16 kms – but shorter on this side – going steady met up with Mohana – shouted one kms to go, last hill over the railway tracks – which started a small tinge of cramps on the calf muscles, but pace steady, last few metres decided to sprint but cramps put paid to that effort – nevertheless finished in a PERSONAL BEST time of 2.23.32 seconds, Mohana came just behind and Genieve followed few minutes later.

Medal hung on the shoulder – met with all the Mumbai runners – came to know that everybody had smashed their personal best timings – evident from the smiles on their faces – Milton & Gen started an impromptu jig on a Konkani number which was emulated by others. Waited for a while to know the final results of our key runners – Bhasker & Tanaji – pleasantly surprised to know Mohana came in fourth in the women’s veteran category – she missed the third place by a whisker. Trudged back to the hotel, refreshed went out with the gang for a welcome and sumptuous lunch. Came back into Mumbai early morning 20th, tired, but definitely happy.







Goa is definitely the place to be next year – so guys, tick this on your running calendar – awesome route, best facilities, scenic beauty, beautiful weather – next year’s plans include a few days after the run just lazing around Goa.