Run for the Joy of Running!

Auroville’s eighth marathon took place on February 8th 2015. Around 3,500 people ran the winding dirt trails through Auroville’s forests – the full marathon of 42.195 kilometres, the half marathon of 21 kilometres, the 10K marathon, or, for children and their parents, the shorter run of 5 kilometres.

“Run for the Joy of Running” was the banner of the event. The marathon started early morning, after a breakfast of pongal and tea was served to all the runners and spectators, with an impressive drumming show organised by Svaram Musical Instruments,

The Auroville marathon continues to impress as Auroville’s largest people event. The first Auroville marathon took place in 2008 on the occasion of Auroville’s 40th anniversary with 250 runners participating. It has grown ever since. This time, participants came from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai and from neighbouring Puducherry, Kuilapalayam, Edayanachavady, Kottakarai and other villages. About 370 participants were Aurovilians and students from Auroville’s neighbouring schools, Another 150 participants did not register, but joined in on it day itself.

The previous day, each registered runners received a marathon T-shirt and a number at the Auroville marathon market at the Visitors’ Center. The market sells not only Auroville’s regular products but also displays Auroville’s environmentally and socially conscious wares to spread awareness of Auroville’s ideals. Like the number of participants, the market too grows in size each year.

Why so many people? Auroville’s marathon is unique as being one of the few, or perhaps the only, ‘trail run’ in India. Compared to other Indian marathons, the Auroville marathon may well be the greenest. Participants are aware that they are entering a different space, one with a sense of respect for the environment. There is a growing sports culture in India, and with that has come a search for methods of living more closely to nature. Many runners expressed their appreciation for the experience of running through a beautiful forest.

The core team of organizers include five people from the Saracon Campus to do the logistics and operations; about 450 registered volunteers; an additional 250 volunteers who showed up to help on the day itself and many Auroville units. The Puducherry Medical Centre team, together with the ‘108’ emergency ambulance, did a great job at ensuring that medical help was at hand when needed. Missing – for some runners at least – was the marathon memento, due to lack of funds. That will be rectified for the next marathon.