Priya Madhavan
It all started with Usha telling us about Chitra and the wonderful work she’s been doing at Kodaganallur. Dabbling in runs myself, I thought this was a small, yet fun way to be involved. A cousin tempted me to aim for 20 and thus it began…
While I had heard the event was successfully run over a decade, the scale, fervour, mass and electrifying atmosphere has to be experienced in person! We were there in the wee hours, standing in queue for verification. Careful assessment of Aadhar, entries into state of the art tabs, before you are handed a tee, a bright smile and a wish to set the road on fire! No, with that kind of diligence, there’s no room for proxy!
The half marathon aspirants queued up at the start line and before you realised were sprinting with the flag off! In a world where one is spoiled for choice of shoes, carbon plates, cushioning and foam, most folks here chose the god given two bare feet! It was nice to see both, the youth of Kodaganallur and the yester youth as well participate with equal vigour. I was happy to lend the diversity quotient and trotted off at my own pace.
Met a lot of interesting folks – a police officer who regaled me with crime beat at my toughest 15th kilometre, a child with whom I shared some sweets, the volunteers proudly telling me I stand second in the women’s category (of four women 🤪), an old gentleman who seemed to think if she can do it, I’ve got to be faster, and our very own Colonel having the most steady pace start to end. There were so many of them cheering you on…
Sun played truant, but the hide and seek behind the clouds gave us some respite. Idyllic scenery of luscious greens rolling out to the faint blue hills on the horizon, the gurgling Tamirabarani were landscapes to cherish! Yippee! The picturesque parts were exclusive to the half marathoners.
The hydration points and the road markings were perfectly planned. Even as an outsider I never felt lost or alone. Cops and medicos were wonderful but vanity got the better of me and my eyes (and poses) were only for the professional photographers! I have DPs now to last me many seasons!
As in any race, I look forward to the finish line. Again! Amazed to see the post run revelry. The poi-kal kudurai and peacocks were all glitz and glamour. I couldn’t catch the name of the troupe but they seemed to have arrived straight from the Republic Day parade. What an honour to watch these artists display their craft.
And when I just thought it was time to head home after a successful HM, the icing on the cake was a ‘special category award’ for some participants. I was okay with gender and age getting me that podium finish 🤪. The emcee kindly agreed to reduce ten years from my age! After a ton of years of school sports, here I was receiving an award from the honourable chief guest, Mr. Nair and the charismatic sponsor brothers, Mr. Sriram and Mr. Raj. Sharing the stage with the winners was an honour!
All in all, Karam Yokathon is an event to reckon with! Three cheers to Chitra and the steadfast team surrounding her!
