BANGALORE: It was a sight to savour — Nearly after an hour of declaring the 10k run over, an elderly person completed his run with pride written all over his face. Such was the response to the fifth edition of Bangalore Midnight Marathon, where over 10,000 people reported at Karnataka Trade Promotional Organisation, Whitefield, to run for a cause —Run for a child.
The fund raiser event organised by the Rotary of Bangalore IT Corridor to fund social service projects saw people responding with enthusiasm.
The attraction was the 5K IT City Fun Race, where over 4,000 techies participated with their family and friends dressed for a run, despite the chill, winter night.
Also, for the first time in the country, a 10k run was organised in the night; the event started at 10 pm. The first event was the community relay —and as the name suggests, people representing their residents’ welfare associations of layouts, societies or apartments participated.
While the children participated in the kids category, the adults too fought their way huffing and puffing.
At midnight, it was time for the most awaited races -- The full and half marathon. While the professionals were covering the laps, the participants of other races cheered them on from the bylines.
It was astonishing energy for a Saturday midnight, that could have been spent looking at the moon. The Police supported the marathon by guarding the race track and the venue from any untoward incidents.
Police officers Thimmaya said, “There are over 100 police officials on guard at the venue. We have also placed guards along the race course for safety of the participants.”
It was an enjoyable night not just for the participants but for all who gathered to catch a bit of fun, there were several events organised to entertain the spectators.
A local band One Nite Stand performed a few covers of Coldplay and the ever favourite Hindi number D K Bose while the audience headbanged and danced.
Food stalls provided the energy even as the gathering basked in the various shades of the moon.
Participant Glushan said, “It is fun to have a marathon during late hours.
There is no pollution from traffic and the weather is amazing.”
The magical moments included watching infants pushed in the their pram by their parents, who participated in the race, and the elders reprising their childhood and to everyone’s surprise even finishing the marathons.
The honour roll
* Chaitanya Armdale was placed first in the kids’ category while Yuva from Jayanagar bagged the honour in the adults’ category.
* The City Fun Run saw Rakesh R taking the medal in the men’s category.
Isabella finished first in the women’s category.
* The winners of 10k marathon were Endale Abayneh and Meserte Zerebe in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
* In the 42km full marathon, Yeshewa Abate and Rhale Worku from Ethiopia won in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
* In the 22km half marathon, Yared Admasu in the men’s category and Abeyo Teshetu in the women’s category were hard to beat.