Women and Running
Women have always been well represented in Chennai Runners events. We have several newbies join the ranks every year, thanks to the comfortable family atmosphere that is inherent in the CR events. Our women have won laurels at various races across the country, including the Hyderabad, Kaveri Trail, and Bangalore Ultra marathons. All things considered, Chennai is a wonderful and safe place for women to run and train in, and the CR are proud to have helped build the running culture here.
Featured Runners
We would be featuring a few popular and inspiring Chennai Runners who with their spirit and consistency have encouraged several runners to run longer, faster and stronger.
Shahid Kandrikar:
Shahid is a passionate runner and one of the pillars of the Chennai Runners group.
1. When did you start running regularly? How many marathons/half marathons have you completed so far?
Started running in 2003. I have completed 12 official full marathons, first full being in Singapore 2005. I still remember the start line at my first half in 2005 in Bangalore, dead scared of the distance as my longest run ever was 10 Kms.
2. How often do you run in a week?
4 times a week with 2 days of strength training and one day of rest.
3. Why do you run? Why did you take up running over other sports that you might have tried?
Initially started running to lose weight, but now I run for pure pleasure. The satisfaction I get after doing just 5K or 30 minutes of running, I am not sure can be replicated in any other sport.
4. What are your personal bests?
4:37:22 in Paris 2009
5. What gets you going out on the roads and do these runs regularly?
Guilt factor. If I don't run, feel lousy the whole day, and start munching on junk food.
6. What was your toughest marathon and why?
My toughest marathon was Singapore 2008. I picked up an heel injury in the half way point, and had to limp the rest of the race. I took almost 6:45 to finish the race. My only DNF had been Comrades 2010 in South Africa which is a 89K race and still regret not finishing it after all the training I have done coming to the event. I started the run front of the pack with the elites (please don't ask me why I did such a foolish thing), and the pace was faster than my usual with 15,000 runners behind me and with lots of ups and downs. Picked up some kind of back injury at 20 Km mark and struggled till 62 Km when I called it quits. If the 12 hour cut off was not there, I would have tried to completed it. I still want to go back and finish it.
7. Chennai is warm and humid for most part of the year. How do you handle it?
I try to finish my weekly runs before 7:30. But, we should stop complaining about heat and humidity of Chennai, and try to enjoy it. In May, bunch of us ran a half marathon around noon time in Marina with no shade, and the heat was not a problem. I hydrated properly, and kept the heart rate to manageable level.
8. Which is the best place to have a good run in Chennai for you?
Marina, IIT and Anna University and my all time favorite ECR.
9. What do you wish to convey to folks out there who want to become regular runners.
Take one step at a time. Build up mileage gradually and listen to your body. With proper strengthening exercises, you will find long distance road running a pleasure.
Neville J Billimoria:
Neville is an amazing runner, having run 12 marathons consecutively in 12 months. He also did a 12 hour (6 hour run, 6 hour bike ride) run/ride raising money for a social cause last year. Always trying to do more.
1. When did you start running regularly? How many marathons/half marathons have you completed so far?
I started running regularly from January 2010, that is when I was introduced to Chennai Runners group and started enjoying my long runs with the groups of runners.
2. How often do you run in a week?
I run 5-6 days a week. I cover a distance of 11 to 25 km for each run. Based on how my body and mind feels I try to increase the distance.
3. Why do you run? Why did you take up running over other sports that you might have tried?
To keep fit. J Fell in love with running and to keep this passion going, I started taking part in the marathons. Prior to running I was more active in rowing and have won National medals, and I have represented the National Games thrice. I started running in matter of time I found running addictive and I am enjoying the long runs.
4. What are your personal bests?
42.19 Km: 3 hrs 51 mts at Dubai. 50.00 Km: 5 hrs 18 mts at Delhi
5. What gets you going out on the roads and do these runs regularly?
Running has become routine for me now. It's the encouragement that I get from family, friends and not to forget my running buddies at “Chennai Runners” keeps me going strong and I really enjoy every bit of it.
6. What was your toughest marathon and why?
The Colombo Marathon in October 2011 was the toughest marathon for me till date. The weather was very hot and humid this was a real test to my endurance. There were many casualties that took place in the Colombo marathon. I had to stop at the 29th Km as there was a casualty that happened in front of my eyes. There was a fellow runner who was hit and run by an auto. While I was trying to help this fellow runner, I was also hit by a scooter and I had bruises in my left arm, elbow and my left leg. It took nearly 19 minutes for the ambulance to reach and I thought this was the end of my Colombo marathon unfinished. To my surprise, I found another fellow marathoner lying in the same ambulance with bleeding knee, at this situation; I thought the best is to have the fellow marathoner who was hit to be sent. Now I had an option to wait for another ambulance to come or to get to finishing point running or wait for the ambulance to get to the finishing point. I decided to run and complete the Marathon. I pushed myself very hard both mind and body to complete this marathon. At the end of completing this marathon I felt really happy that I was able to help my fellow runner and complete the marathon.
7. Chennai is warm and humid for most part of the year. How do you handle it?
I try to complete my run before it becomes warm. I also run during nights when the weather is much better than the morning humidity. I hydrate myself well before my run.
8. Which is the best place to have a good run in Chennai for you?
I use the Anna University campus, Madras Boat Club Road, IIT Campus & love running on the Beach. J9. What do you wish to convey to folks out there who want to become regular runners?
One should take running slow and steady and should be comfortable to run in their own pace. It is important that a runner should be careful by not pushing too hard at the very initial stage of his training if not they end up with injury. Joining running with a friend or with the group morally inspires you to run more and safely without injury as you have the option to exchange notes and helps you to perform better. Hydration before starting of the run, in between the runs and after the run is important. It is also very important to warm up and warm down and stretches before and after your regular run. Rest / sleep is equally important for any sports person. Rest plays a very important role at the time of training or in the Marathon.
Gallery
Past events
The Chennai Runners runs started with the ECR runs when a dozen runners set off from the toll booth and finished at German Bakery in Mahabalipuram. Since then, runs and events have multiplied and last year, the IIT Chennai Runners Half Marathon hosted over 1200 runners.
The MARG Chennai Runners Half Marathon and 10km run at IIT Madras was held on Nov 6th, 2011. The event promised to be a gala one with over thousand runners of various skill levels registered. In the weeks leading to the event, several simple ‘training’ sessions were held at Anna University and the IIT campus, to encourage first-time runners to participate confidently and without injury. Despite the unprecedented rainfall on Nov 5th, the race was a grand, tear-away success. The feedback from the participants & volunteers was overwhelmingly positive, and many requests for more such events were made!
