The 12th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon to be run on January 18, 2015 is already open for registration in a few categories, with an accent on the 42-km or fulleg marathon distance this time
Those who have followed the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) for the past 12 years either as runners, aficionados, or media persons will realize how far Mumbai has come in terms of running and fitness consciousness, since the first event which happened in February, 11 years ago. Now, the event takes place every January to avail of the relatively better weather.
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Looking for the finish line at an earlier edition in Mumbai. Pic/Atul Kamble
With runners clubs mushrooming all over the city and Mumbaikars going overseas too to run marathons, the running boom has hit Mumbai and India with a boom! Like they said that the press conference held at the Trident hotel, Nariman Point yesterday, consciousness is tremendous now.
Officials, actors and promoters at the Trident announcing registrations open for the marathon yesterday. Pic/Bipin Kokate
Talking about boom, there were plenty of ‘booms’ which is also another name for the mike that television journalists carry around with them and put in front of people’s faces, thanks primarily to brand ambassador John Abraham.
John said he would answer marathon-related questions only and one got the impression that he was saying all questions with reference to his marriage (is it or is it not?) with Priya Runchal were off-limits. ‘Run’chal? Now, that's another kind of run, not of the marathon kind.
What is your date?
Registrations for the Full Marathon category (42 km) of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon are open. The race, to be flagged off on Sunday, January 18, 2015 has several categories but registration is open for the Full Marathon, DHL Corporate Champions and Police Cup.
Physical modes of registration at Standard Chartered Bank branches will close on Saturday, September 20, or whenever running places are full, whichever is earlier.
Depending on availability of running places, registrations through online applications and P O Box entries for the Full Marathon will remain open until Saturday, November 29 or till running places are full, whichever is earlier.
Registrations for the Half Marathon (21-km) open at 10 am on Wednesday, July 30 and close on Saturday, August 30 or whenever running places are full, whichever is earlier.
Registrations for the Dream Run will open at 10 am on Tuesday, September 2, and close on Saturday, September 6, while registrations for the Senior Citizens Run and Champions With Disability will open on Monday, September 8, and close on Saturday, September 20, or whenever running places are full, whichever is earlier. Readers are advised to pencil in these dates and check them carefully.
This time, there is a real push to encourage people to break into the 42-km category. While one is all for new challenges and pushing oneself, if you are an going into the 42-km category, start training now as you already are somewhat late. The 42-km needs long, arduous and most of all, regular training. Hope you are tying your shoelaces even while reading this.
Places going fast
For more numbers read on that there are 4,000 running places on offer for the Full Marathon, while 14,000 places are available for the Half Marathon. The Dream Run, including the DHL Corporate Champions, will accommodate 20,200 participants.
1,500 entries will be permitted in the Senior Citizens’ Run, 300 entries for the Champions with Disability Event, and 100 entries will be accepted for the Police Cup, putting the total number of entries accepted at 40,100. The event will only accept applications from runners who have attached a timing certificate from the previous two years, in the full and half-marathon categories. Don’t take this as the last word on this.
The online registrations can be done through the event website www.procamrunning.in/scmm. Duly filled entry forms with the requisite entry fee can be mailed to P O Box No. 11017, Marine Lines Post Office, Mumbai 400 020. Mumbai residents can also deposit their entry forms with the requisite entry fees at 10 Standard Chartered Bank branches, details of which are available on the event website. Do check all details on the website, before you proceed.
Distance is key
Every year, the marathon has a slogan or punchline that defines the event. The earlier marathons had a marathon anthem but now you have that one line that encapsulates the spirit of the event. This time, that punchline is: Go the Distance. The line has a dual meaning. It is attest to the marathon’s staying power, it has gone the distance or stayed as an event for 12 long years, in a world of constant flux.
Mumbai offered so many challenges, the weather (hot for record marathon distances), the route (tweaked over the years) and of course, events like the terror attack 26/11 which happened at the event’s hospitality partner, the Trident at Nariman Point. The marathon was run just a few days after that, with runners and officials meeting at the Trident, even as the world looked on.
It was a grim salute to the city’s resilience and even the runners seemed silent that year as they rounded the bend at the Trident. Like Sunil Kaushal, Regional Chief Executive, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, stated the marathon is 'here for good'.
Go the Distance is also a special message for the runners who are being told to go the distance or do the full 42-km course, this time. The distance really that separates the men from the boys or the girls from the women, for that matter. One must add that growing stature is all very well, in the end, this event is about running.
Since the marathon is about encouraging people to go for 42-km we hope the route is clear till at least six hours, traffic has not started and Mumbaikars keep their cars off the roads for a substantial period of time. Help the runners go the distance, they need oxygen, not car fumes to breathe into.
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