BANGALORE, Karnataka / The Hindu / News / May 24, 2010
Sunfeast World 10K Run Bangalore 2010 sees a potpourri of participants
Elderly taking part in the Seniors Category
seen having fun in the Bangalore event.
Photo: K. Murali Kumar and G.P. Sampath Kumar
A potpourri of participants from sinewy professional athletes to wheelchair-bound participants and senior citizens to ordinary fitness enthusiasts were all part of the third edition of the Sunfeast World 10K Run Bangalore 2010.
Thousands of people, who had assembled as early as 7.30 a.m. at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, where the marathon kicked off, braved the rising humidity and mercury levels. Even as international, national and the “Majja” runners endured the weather, senior citizens and wheelchair-bound participants took it sportingly.
Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, his Ministerial colleagues, R. Ashok and Katta Subramanya Naidu, Mayor S.K. Nataraja and Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari were present at the inauguration. However, Saturday's air crash in Mangalore cast its shadow on the show organised by Procam International.
Celebrities, including actor Pooja Gandhi, former Miss India Gul Panag, actor Rahul Bose and sport star Pankaj Advani, all ran for a cause, for charity. And, the “costume competition” provided the colour and tang to the event.
Senior citizens were attired in yellow T shirts while people with disability, who had arrived here from different parts of the country, wore red T shirts.
M.V. Reddy, a wheelchair user, said, “I am excited to be part of this. This shows that we can equally match with the others.” Prem Singh, another person on a wheelchair, said, “I have come from Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Pune, to participate in this marathon.”
Krishnachar Rangan, a senior citizen, said he was thrilled on completing the race. “As an elderly person I feel proud of it and wish to continue the same in the coming years.” Vasanthi Srinivas (60), asenior citizen from Hanumanthnagar, said, “A programme like this should be organised monthly once rather than once a year. This brings energy and freshness in our life.”
For Selvie Manoj, general manager of Child Rights and You (CRY), the Run was a way to garner support for children's right to education.
Oxfam, Association of People with Disability, and Harmony for Silvers Foundation were among those who participated. [rc]
Copyright © 2010, The Hindu.
