Why to Run (or not) in a Marathon (or Half Marathon)?

I can’t say it’s the start of the running season as we have some or the other event taking place somewhere or the other throughout the year. But let me admit, I run only part of the year (yes, I am lazy) when the mornings are pleasant enough (okay, I am very lazy). And go to only those events that are held in the vicinity during the cooler months. But taking advantage of this being my blog, which presents things from my perspective, I will say that it is the start of the running season (so what if I am lazy). This is the time when one starts looking at proposed events & shortlisting ones that one can participate in.

Start time: This may appear a minor issue but it is really the most important, especially as most participants are on the slower side. Thus, a late start ends up with majority running when the sun’s already up & high. But that’s at the end of the event & doesn’t affect all. A late start makes the wait longer than it is, more so because we have all warmed up & are geared up to hit the road. We get talking with fellow runners while we wait & many of us lazy ones actually wish for the start to be delayed further till we have finished with our little chats. And there’s a bigger issue too which, you will now agree, makes this one really important. In anticipation of a timely start we usually empty our bladders as part of the routine. But with an extended waiting period & all that chit chat, one gets thirsty, gets hydrated & the need to revisit the pee-points. You get there & there are a lot many like you out there. Now you know what I mean.

Hydration/Fuel arrangements: This is as important as the previous issue, but the need kicks in later. And the severity increases with distance/time. Every event organizer, without an exception, has hydration & fuel as the top priority item. But usually the supplies dry up at the later stages of the run, which is when we need it even more. There are multiple reasons for it. We usually feel it is the higher participation than expected or provisioned for, as the main reason. But many a times it is also because the volunteers have deserted the hydration point, which is usually during the end (am I getting repetitive here?) & the guys prefer not to be out under the hot sun. I am more concerned with this as I am a slow runner myself. But I have never been more surprised than at Nasik, but more of this in the next post (hope you would be coming back for it).

Traffic management: This is one hell of a task. In most cities. On most days. Thus, asking the poor traffic cops to report for duty at 5:00 AM, stop vehicular movement on one half of the road, till the time the population begins to get out on their weekend errands, is very sadistic. Unpleasant, but unavoidable. For, unlike most routine runs (ending before motorists hit the road), the runners do not have any energy left to avoid oncoming vehicles (or those coming from the rear) after having run in excess of 15 KM. Easiest way out is to opt for routes that pass through areas with sparse traffic but such roads are generally narrower & not always in a good condition. Or, if the entire district administration throws it weight behind the event & the population is fully cooperative (as in Rajkot). The runners who are very particular of this should opt for cities that sleep late & do not venture out till very late on Sundays. Essentially, towns where the majority population works for the government (but more on this in the next post)!

Route: Granted, the organisers have no control over this one. They just pick the best available option. Thus, cities with scenic routes or beautiful structures are outright winners on this front. But not all cities are tourist destinations & many are not even big enough to have major roads long enough for a HM or FM. We just need to hope that the route is well illuminated when it is still dark & that the canine inhabitants are a friendly lot. I would have mentioned the presence of cows also, but do not owing to the current political climate as well as because I have absolutely no problem with them occupying the roads. For, they are much better in controlling the traffic than any traffic cop in uniform.

Weather: This may appear needless for most events take place when the weather is conducive to running. But we have had examples which prove this otherwise. Unfortunately, a narrow window of cool weather & a crowded race calendar makes this difficult. The organisers are left to choose between maximizing participation & providing a good running environment. Not many are as lucky as VIM 2017 in this regard & you will read more about it in the next post.

Crowd support: This makes the amateur, weekend pseudo-athletes in us feel like sportstars for some time. The very people who stare at us in bewilderment when we are out running in the dark line up the streets to gawk at us in awe. And cheer us. The better ones organize themselves & offer us hydration & fuel. Where are these guys on other days, when there is no organizer to support us?

Post-run refreshment: I don’t know about you, but this is the most important part of any event for me. I still salivate at the memories of Kochi & Goa for this one reason. Unfortunately, most of the event organisers are either non-runners or very serious athletes. Thus, we end up with bananas, Parle-G’s & Bataka Pauva. Here I will recommend SoleFest Vadodara (though only one edition young), for our USP is the post-run meal. Yes, it’s no snack but a full Brunch. If you are still a disbeliever, join us on 26^th November. We do not serve beer, this being a dry state, so pls make your own arrangements!!

Route Markers: This may as well have been covered along with the route. But the organisers at Kochi & Rajkot have taken this several notches higher. But even if reduced to its basic task of marking out the distance & pointing directions, these are very important. More so in towns that are laid out in a very confusing manner because most runners would be out of town. If you have been following this blog for long you would be aware how the Sub-2 HM’ers (and the 2-hour Bus) lost their way & ended up with DNF at Gandhinagar. Or, how the crowd got in front of one such marker & I got diverted to the 10K route & DNF’ed at Rajkot.

These are some of the considerations that make a running event stand out & get participants return year after year. There would be other factors too that you find important. If so, why don’t you share it here? Better, you could tell us the best part of your favorite running event. This may help the others to decide where to run next.