The Cheering Souls

We runners don’t run and race all the time. Sometimes we do turn up for races not to run but to cheer our fellow runners on, to cheer our friends on. I swear, we really do! It’s easy to get all caught up in the excitement of the start line, the nervousness, the unbearable tension of wanting to just go and get it done with, so it takes great restrains to not give in and just join in, after all the park is open to all, but then you are mindful you’ve got to run a race the next, your first complete Trail Run, your first Half Marathon post TMM (sadly the race got postponed due to rains, a wise division though, but we do pray and remember the ones affected by it).

So as you ride down to the park, in the pouring rain, you question your decision, your sanity, of riding in the rain not to race but just to cheer your friends on and maybe even pace a friend or two (or none). You somehow get to the park splashing away in the rains. You greet a bunch of enthusiastic runners who made it despite the pouring rain. And there at the start line you find the volunteers, members of the BNP Green Runners, many of whom are friends, many who you know by face but not by names, frantically and enthusiastically serving water and Enerzal to the runners who need it.

You join in helping them cause their enthusiasm is contagious and it gets to you too and you get enveloped in the excitement. The energy at the start line is electrifying (and not just because of all the lightening and thundering). They do an awesome job ensuring that every runner starts hydrated, ensuring that not even one runner is missed, even the late comers. When it pours we even joked that the Rain Gods were providing their own form of hydration, albeit in its purest form.

As the race starts you join them in cheering the runners who slowly cross the start line, screaming yourself hoarse wishing everyone the very best. Once the last runner is served you move with them to the start of Gandhi Tekadi, to help direct runners who would return from Kanheri and would have to go up Gandhi to complete one loop (they had to two loops to complete their 25). So we all stood there waiting for the first runners, positioning ourselves so that would not hinder runners but also be able to direct them in the right direction. They are open to suggestions and not once ignoring, and take into consideration any help and support I could provide, not once making me feel un-welcomes, in fact made me feel right at home, a part of the team.

So as we wait for the first runner to come, the kids practise their steps that they had choreographed to cheer the runners on, to provide them the energy they needed. Girls in their pretty pink visors and their Pom-Pom and the boys with their lime green hats, trying to learn steps, remember steps. We stood there smiling as we saw them practice. 

It was learned that a tree had fallen down near Kanheri, needing adjustment to be made immediately without hampering the race, without inconveniencing or endangering the runner. They immediately sprung into action, to troubleshoot the situation and be ready before the first runner finished. A big salute to their quick thinking and proactiveness for not letting the race get affected.

So as the lead bike approached with the first runner approached, he was greeted very enthusiastically, cheered on by each of us as  he took off up Gandhi Tekadi. And from there started the flow of runners. They too were greeted with enthusiasm,  cheered on. Not once did the energy ever dipped, cheering and howling as the runners went by, “Come on you can do this”, “Just keep running”, “One more loop to go”, “Runners turn left”! They kept cheering runners on till they went hoarse. But still continued, high fiveing the runners who went by, attending to runners who needed help (there’s a reason why it is called Endurathon).

Once the number of runners began to dwindle, and the leader finished his second loop, I finally gave into temptation and joined my friend to run a loop up Gandhi Tekadi, especially since I had given my water to a runner who needed it more at the time than I did. The volunteers at the top were more than helpful in getting the bottle filled, not once bothering that I was not participant and were more than willing to help. Even the volunteers on the way to Gandhi Tekadi were cheering all runners on irrespective whether they were participants or not. The beauty when runners organises races for runners. 

Now on my way to Kanheri I saw my buddy Pankti going at it, mustering every ounce or strength, stamina, energy she could muster, willing herself to keep going. So decided to help cover the the last couple of kms (which included going up Gandhi Tekadi once more). Since we train together i knew she would be able to catch up to the lady from her age group, who was currently running third. So pushed her, cheered her on, constantly talking to her, cheering her, was so ready to hear her scream back at asking me to shut the fuck up, considering she was giving it all and her legs were tired after all she had completed one and half loop and my legs were relatively fresh. But she didn’t really yell back and just chugged along giving it her all. And though she narrowly missed 3rd by mere 10 seconds, she did awesomely well, was super proud of her, after all Endurathon is always a tough race, but she did in a sub 2:30.

So after the race, as it is custom, it was time to congratulate the runners who had completed the race, the ones who had the courage to undertake this daunting race, to click pics and in general to socialise. Even though I didn’t participate not once did I feel out of place. It was great to meet so many running friends, many of whom you meet mostly at races and Running events (and as I hadn’t raced till TMM it had been quite a long time). It was fun mingling with them, to catch up with them, click pics with them.

In the end, as usual, had a fun Saturday morning (one of the few races actually to take place on a Saturday), cheering, supporting my fellow runners. Was so proud of so many of my friends who undertook and successfully completed the race, many of whom inspire you. And then it’s a big salute to the organisers and volunteers who did an awesome job taking care of runners, going out of their to ensure that runners have a good experience, selflessly cheering them , serving them, supporting them. I swear I am going to be back next year after missing it  this year, after all I can safely call BNP my home ground.

In an unfortunate turn of events the race that I had signed up had to be postponed due to the rains and the holding area getting submerged, but it was a wise and thoughtful decision. The organisers were instead helping to evacuate villagers who were affected by the rains and flood. Two instances of organisers going beyond themselves to ensure the runners’ safety and well being of the runners, their priority, cause it isn’t always about the money.