Amity Half Marathon 3 February, 2013- Growth of the race

The first marathon I ran was four years ago in Kolkata, the 2010 Airtel Marathon. That was the last we saw of that full marathon in Kolkata. It has since been discontinued. Upon inquiries to the organizers, Highlife Management, they said that they’ll organize it if they can get sponsors for it. Sponsors being sparse and scarce, the good people of Kolkata had been without an excuse to run 42 kms for three years. If you take a poll among the citizens here, you’ll find that the majority of them have no intention or aspiration to run 42 kms. They’ll shake their head (and tummy) sagely and point at their car, saying that for any distance more the trip downstairs to the grocer, one must summon some means of transport. Of all the metropolitan cities in India, Kolkata ranks near the bottom if not at the very bottom when it comes to a culture of physical fitness among the general population. Mumbai is flooded with runners in places like Jogger’s park, Marine Drive, etc. Same goes for Bangalore, Delhi, and most other cities. Kolkata doesn’t see the general populace step out and lace up their running sneakers as much as most other cities in India. Proof positive, the Airtel Full Marathon has been discontinued since 2010.

I take a sense of pride in the Amity Half Marathon for a couple of reasons. One, it’s the only major running event held in Kolkata with regularity for the last three years, since its inception. It’s the race closest to home for me. Secondly, as the Amity Half Marathon has grown into a half marathon for real (more on that later), I’ve also grown with it as a runner. Here’s what I mean-

Amity Half Marathon-

2011- 7 km run.2012- 14 km run.2013- 21 km run.

My marathons-

2010 Airtel Full Marathon- 4:302011 Amity Half Marathon (7km)- :272012 Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon- 3:31

Some parallel here. I ran a little slow in the beginning and then sped up, the Amity Marathon was a smaller distance in the beginning then it expanded. The first time Amity organized the half marathon was in 2010. They intended to make it a half marathon, but they could not manage to get permission for cordoning off the roads. At that time, the AJC Bose flyover was being constructed and closing off a large section of the roads wasn’t feasible. There were some hiccups during the race too as a few runners used shortcuts without being reprimanded. That was something unanticipated by the Amity volunteers and organizers. There wasn’t a protocol in event of a runner just plain turning a U turn into a A turn. For a first time event it was quite well done. The second year they grew it to a 14 km run. Once again they couldn’t manage to make it a full 21 km run. This year though the chips fell into place and it is going to be a proper half marathon run with the runners wearing RFID timing chips from Impinj.

If it seems that not organizing a half marathon of 21 kms and still calling it a half marathon is an indication of complacency, a sign that enough wasn’t done to ensure that permission to cordon off the roads, then just take a look at the Kolkata Cyclothon. Organized by Sport 18, a branch of Network 18, it had all the proper backing with experienced professionals and yet they had to change dates and venue as they couldn’t secure permission for the roads from the police. Upon change of venue, halfway through the race the distance was cut short for the amateur run and cyclists were asked to not go the full number of looks. Compared to their first time attempt, the attempt of Amity in its first year doesn’t seem too shabby. And the Amity Half Marathon is done for charity and for promoting a fitness culture in a city sorely in need of it.

This marathon is being done for a cause, for Amitasha- Nurturing the girl child. The eldest participant is Mr. Pradip Das who has also run the half marathon in Delhi. And he’s over 70 years old. I know another sixty plus years old gentleman will be in the ranks, I remember him running in the 2010 and 2011 races. The registration cost is Rs 150 for the half marathon and Rs 100 for the 4 km Dream Run. The race will flag off at 7 AM on 3 February. The race starts off at point A on the map above. Check back tomorrow for a recap of this race.