On the fast track

This Sunday, go out and run that marathon. To feel fit if not to stay healthy

On the fast track

This Sunday, go out and run that marathon. To feel fit if not to stay healthy

This Sunday, take a break from the daily routine and leave your hi-tech videogames at home and run the marathon that is taking place in the Capital. Says Inder Salwan, architect, Salwan Marathon: "Kids today are more into Cokes and video games and not into something productive. They see sports as entertainment. They lack the spirit to stay fit, which we had."

Salwan is himself a fitness freak and runs about 22 km each day from his home to Dhaula Kuan. Started in 1994 at a cost of Rs 4,500, the marathon has become a mega event now. "When we started it, we didn't know what a marathon is like, we just wanted to run. But then the participation started increasing year by year and the turn out expected this year is 40,000, which is tremendous," says Salwan.

But Salwan doesn't want the race to be limited to just the school kids. "Street kids are close to my heart and this race has always been open for them. I want everyone to participate, differently abled children also. With the help of volunteers, visually impaired, intellectually challenged kids will run too," he says.

Taking part in sports increases the chances of getting admission in colleges but Salwan doesn't want children to think it as just a way of getting into college. "Not everybody is good in studies. This race is a byproduct of my efforts to improve academics in school. But I don't want students to take sports as a means of getting into a good college. I want them to play regularly and stay fit," he says.

At: Army Equestrian Centre, Brar Square, Delhi Cantonment
Timings: 8 am to 1 pm
When: Sunday
Call: 9953300852

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