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Jeep-ers!
The, 'don't drink 'n' drive' initiative found its place in the Mumbai marathon. Full and half marathon runners saw a battered police jeep at the start of the course. Startled at first, one only had to read the writing on the jeep: 'He was driving drunk'. The athletes, of course, were running drunk on nothing stronger than water and electral on a very hot day.
Fly the flag
For the first time, one saw a number of runners on the 21-km stretch and several supporters carrying the Indian tricolour, proving that much of the Mumbai marathon was about 26/11, and the intangible spirit galvanising the city post-terror attacks.
Woodlands wow
Supporters near the Woodland building at Peddar Road are always a huge boost for runners. This time, the common man held out trays of Glucose biscuits for runners who devoured them thankfully. What can one say except, 'oye thank you ji for the Parle-G'.
Ekdum tight
For the first time ever, runners went through metal detectors and extensive frisking and bag checking at the Azad Maidan entrance. Long queues of full and half marathoners snaked around the maidan. Terrorism has made it a whole new world, with the marathon start being no exception.
Target Pak
Some Pak-bashing was evident on a few runners t-shirts; one runner wore a shirt called Pak be warned, while another supporter on the course actually playacted like a Pak terrorist, watched by people as he made a statement against the country.
Cell talk
Call it the cell phone course or curse if you wish. Stragglers on the half-marathon course, regularly fish out their phones updating people with, "abhi toh main Marine Drive peh hoon, yes, I am coming," or, "kidhar hai tu, I am waiting for you" as they walk-run through the course. Ah, it is time a cell phone company came out with a slogan, 'keep up with your loved ones with our phones, even on the marathon course.'
Following the Mahatma's footsteps
Girgaum resident Upendra Jhanawala (54), who has been dressing up as Mahatma Gandhi since the inception of the Mumbai marathon, needed first aid for the first time in six years after he completed the Dream run barefoot and suffered burning heels yesterday. He said, "I have always walked barefoot and never needed first aid." Jhanawala, who owns a publishing office, walked for the 26/11 victims this year.
84-yr-old still feels young to participate
Ghatkopar's Manjula Thakkar (84) may have seemed out of place in a sari and fishing hat yesterday, but she trained for six months to participate in the senior citizen's 4.5-km run.
She took 20 rounds of the Rajawadi Garden every day to ensure she got past the finish line. "I love walking and by the grace of God, I have not faced any serious health problems in the last eight years. It makes me feel younger," said Thakkar. She ran the race along with other members of the garden's laughter club.
Ghajini dos
The Ghajini look made its presence felt here too, with NGOs like UDAAN, going the Ghajini way. The marathon is all about making statements.
Compiled by Hemal Ashar and Alisha Coelho
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