The Eastern Express Highway (EEH) runners, a group of runners who train on the EEH, especially the Airoli junction to Ghatkopar service road, have a spring in their running stride. The Tabebuia heterophylla, also known as the Pink Trumpet tree, lining their route are now on the last lap, racing towards the season’s end. Runners consider themselves fortunate to run under the pink canopy and watch a pink carpet unfold under their feet as the flowers fall off the trees.

Many of these runners have a deep connection with the green around them. While the credit for planting and maintaining Pink Trumpet trees goes to the civic authorities, many runners have tended to the greenery by watering them, watching them grow, and blossoming.