Tremendous Evolution Of Running Culture In Country
To paraphrase a quote by Paul Maurer (The Gift - A Runner's Story), "Running isn't a sport for pretty boys (or pretty girls, as the case might be)... It's about the sweat in your hair and the blisters on your feet. It’s the frozen spit on your chin and the nausea in your gut. It's about throbbing calves and cramps at midnight are strong enough to wake the dead. It's about getting out the door and running when the rest of the world is only dreaming about having the passion that you need to live each and every day with. (It's about being on a lonely road and running like a champ even when there's not a single soul in sight to cheer you on. Running is all about having the desire to train and persevere until every fiber in your legs, mind, and heart is turned to steel. And when you've finally forged hard enough, you will have become the best runner you can be. And that's all that you can ask for.)"
When I took to pounding the roads, almost 8 years ago, I could count the number of runners wherever I ran in Delhi. They were a handful. Today, I see a sea of people running in the same places. This itself speaks volumes of how the running culture has evolved over the last few years!
I’ve been a part of the largest and most fun global community on the planet - Adidas Runners (DELHI Chapter) - for over two years and have been leading the Delhi chapter for almost a year now. It’s incredibly heart-warming, as well as jaw-dropping, to see how we are growing! New runners join us at every aR session - women runners, college students, homemakers, professionals, and the most recent spurt has been of doctors. A lot of people have taken to running in the last decade, thanks to the rise in awareness about self-health and healthy lifestyles. The popularity of running has also grown in all segments over the last decade. It is a delight to see people becoming conscious about their health and fitness.
From just a few large-scale marathons held in metro cities to marathons in most tier-II cities and unconventional running events in places like Rann of Kutch, Ladakh, Spiti, the Himalayas, et al., running as an event has taken off and how! There are events galore today, and it’s hard to choose which one to participate in. These running events have given birth to a culture that resonates among people from all age groups and walks of life - “The culture of being fit.”
Apart from the events, the number of running groups has also multiplied. These running groups or communities are often an assemblage of like-minded people, who come together to make running a memorable experience for beginners and seasoned runners. Delhi boasts of several running groups. Some of the most popular ones are Adidas Runners Delhi, DELHI Runners group, Runbugs, Reebok Running Squad, Gurgaon Road Runners, Noida Road Runners, Bonta Runners, West DELHI Runners, Indirapuram Runners, to name just a few. Apart from taking part in running events across India and overseas, these groups also organize get-togethers, conduct health and fitness sessions, collaborate for ecological and social causes like beating plastic pollution, etc.
Running is easy - you only need a good pair of running shoes, and you can head out any and everywhere for a run. Opting for the right pair of running shoes can help you prevent an injury and enhance your running experience. Comfort is the most important feature of a running shoe - it should fit well and feel good while you’re running.
One of the oldest, and strongest, community activities is that of running. From the young and the old to the untrained or expert, running is for everyone - it’s organic and primal. Every runner would agree that the joy of running is unparalleled.
It’s time to find your joy!
