Chennai marathon a hit despite one death
Sanjay Pinto
Sunday, August 31, 2008, (Chennai)
Chennai held its city marathon on Sunday and a huge one-lakh seventy thousand people hit the streets in running gear.
Sadly, one young man collapsed and died while running, but for the city, the marathon was a major triumph.
"I'm aware of the Boston, London, New York marathons. This should be the greatest marathon in the world in terms of numbers," said Union Sports Minister M S Gill.
The marathon will provide education and health care to 13,000 children. But the organisers say they want to go beyond charity and rustle up 10 to 15 long distance runners. Therefore, the next time there is a marathon in Indian cities, the winners need not be from Kenya or Ethopia but can be from Chennai too.
The turnout of school children, senior citizens, celebrities and corporates clearly surpassed expectations.
"This has given us hope and confidence about our own place. I'm really proud of my city," said Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, MP and organiser of Marg Give Life Chennai Marathon.
"We expected thousands to run but this is in lakhs. Didn't expect this to happen," said Suriya, an actor.
"It's a great event never seen by Chennai before," said Father Jegath Gaspar, director, Give Life Charity.
The first prize in each category was ten lakh rupees.
"For a social cause, all corporates must come forward to celebrate such events," said G V K Reddy, chairman, Marg and Title Sponsor.
"What better way to get fit and run for a cause," said a young participant.
However, there was a sad twist to the marathon. A 22-year-old student, Santosh, collapsed while running and was brought dead to the Government General Hospital in Chennai.
Many believe it underscores the need for participants to check their levels of fitness before taking up such strenuous exercises.
And so as the winners celebrated, many hearts went out to the young man who died while running for a good cause. A compensation of Rs three lakh has been announced for his family.