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Ready. Steady. Run

Updated on: 13 February,2013 01:02 AM IST  | 
Hassan M Kamal |

Join marathon trainer Rajesh Vadgama in a unique midnight run from Sanjay Gandhi National Park to NCPA on February 16

Ready. Steady. Run

He has conquered the world’s highest motorable road, Khar Dung La in Leh-Ladakh on foot, ran across the Thar desert for 33 hours on a hot day in April 2012 and has a mention in The Limca Book of Records for covering over 1,500 kms on foot from Delhi to Mumbai in 30 days.




Join 45-year-old Rajesh Vadgama (known as Raj), a martial arts expert, interior designer and personal marathon trainer to many, in another such feat as he brings the fourth edition of Mumbai Midnight Run on February 16.

The run covers 100 kms in 12-13 hours, and will begin from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park on February 16 as the clock pushes to midnight. It will pass through the Western Express Highway to Mahim Causeway, Shivaji Park to NCPA and then for the final along the Queen’s Necklace to Mafatlal Swimming Pool and back to NCPA the next day.




“There are between 28-30 participants who will join me in the run,” says Vadgama, adding, “Some will run 50 kms, some 40 kms and some 10 kms. It all depends on you, how long you can go, the only limit here is the upper limit of 100 km.”

Midnight Run began as a campaign to promote running among Mumbaikars and to celebrate World Heart Day in 2012, when Vadgama covered a distance of 100 kms.




Backed by Xtreme Sports India, his small entrepreneurial venture, which focuses solely on training people for marathons, soon, two similar runs followed as more people joined him. Vadgama has only one dream and that is to persuade Mumbaikars to take up the sport.

“People don’t realise but running is the cheapest and one of the most effective ways to achieve a stronger heart. It improves your heart muscle and cures lots of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Besides, you don’t need an expensive gym membership to get started, just a nice pair of sneakers and a passion to run,” he reasons.

The event is self-funded and sponsored entirely by Vadgama and with contributions of '250 each from participants for water, bananas and a drinking supplement. Running a long distance like this requires focused training, and Vadgama and his team of amateur runners have been practising for the last few months. However, people can participate for shorter distances as well. “Even if it’s for a small distance like one km, we want people to run. Run, and you will feel the difference,” he summarises.

On February 16, 11.45 pm onwards
At Sanjay Gandhi National Park to NCPA
Log on to
www.facebook.com/
XtremeSportsIndia
Entry Rs 250u00a0

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