Kalimpong Ultra Part 4- Bib Collection
Bib collection was
at start point at Pedong Ground 5 km
away from our Homestay which was on route
itself . Reaching thee by a jeep was a short recce itself . Huge descend to
ground made everyone silent . Next
morning it is going to be huge uphill.
Pedong ground was getting ready for race next day.
Some volunteers were struggling with balloon start / Finish gate. Volunteers
carrying BIBS and Kits were sitting behind few tables. Runners
from almost 15 Indian states collected their Bibs, trying their event t shirts,
checking their blood pressure and clicking photos . It looks like Ultra runners
knew each other as there was lot of shouting, hugging and clicking in small
crowd. I was new to ultra marathon circuit.
So I knew very few people.
Roshni was busy with last minute arrangements. And great Coach
Daniel himself was distributing bibs to runners.
This was first year of Kalimpong ultra-Marathon. The venue
is situated in remote eastern Himalayan hills. Nearest airport and railway
station is almost 4 hours away. In Mumbai marathon events happens almost every
week may be half, or 10 k. Some event happens somewhere. But in these hills,
this was happening first time .and that too ultra marathon.
My Guru my coach Satish Gujaran was busy giving photographs with
runners . I think he is most photographed male runner in India. Wherever you go
in India he is always surrounded by fans. Another race ambassador is also most
popular woman runner of India. The beautiful, gorgeous, stylish Becky Pde from
Meghalaya.
Both of these runners are not only ambassadors of this race
but ambassadors of the game. Runners are always amused to find them down to earth, humble human beings, ready to listen , ready to talk , guide and answer their queries.
Surprisingly I
couldn't clear mandatory blood pressure test like many other runners. May be
because of anxiety, altitude or supposedly faulty machines. Couple of days back
I had cleared my 2D echo Test so I was not much worried.
Race Director Daniel
and Roshni briefed the race, route, aid stations. Roshni is force behind this
event . For her it not only marathon event she is holding. She is looking for
integration of Indian Gorkha culture with main land India . Her statement seems
Gorkha are as patriot Indians as anyone else. She wants to introduce and invite
as many peoples from entire India and visit beautiful region of Kalimpong hills.
At the same time, she wish to showcase Indian ultra runners to local aspirant
runners. In the process she is helping valley's economy some way.
On Roshni's request race ambassador Satish Gujaran told few
tricks about hill running to audience of runners. The veteran of 11 Comrades’
finishes is runner and coach now and helping many runners to qualify and finish
comrade’s marathon. Runners got some easy by Satish sir guidance. It takes a
pep talk from a legend to remember your strengths.
All in all expo ( It
was not exactly expo barring one Oakley sunglasses stall ) was a celebration, a
memorable event with lot of laughter , photographs with new friends from far
away states. But sky was getting darker with black clouds so homestay was much
safer place . Sunil Mukhia is happy host . He manages place with his witty wife
and three children He welcomed us back with steaming Pakoda and black tea. People
kept adding on and table turned into big circle .
Room was again anxious place again till early dinner. In Nepal
5 years back I heard a funny term "Dal Bhat power 24 hour."
I wished this Dalbhat will give me same power .
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