Mangalore: Age is a Matter of Mind for the Veterans

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Oct 3: For a change it is the veterans who ruled the roads of Mangalore.  Simply said, the battered roads of Mangalore donned a new look when these ‘young minds’ put their stamina and endurance to test  running 21 km half marathon in these infamous roads in the 2nd  Veterans Half Marathon & Minton Championship held in the city on October 1, to mark the world elder’s day.  In their child-like enthusiasm they never complained about the weather-traffic-beaten roads of the city.  Their enthusiasm and excitement was very much palpable much to the amusement of the young and old city folks.  It is not just winning that drew them from different parts of the country to this coastal city.  The spirit of participation was all that mattered for them. 

More than 350 athletes from 17 states of India took part in this national level event. It was organized by Dashina Kannada and Udupi Dist. Masters Athletic Association, Mangalore, under the aegis of Veterans Athletics Federation of India and Karnataka Master’s Association.  When 35 is the lower cut off age there was no ceiling on upper age limit.  The oldest participant was – hold your breath – 93 year old veteran from our own Kudla J S Monis, who went on to win the gold in the 80 plus category overtaking his equally young rivals in the 2 km race.  He was greeted with a thunderous ovation by the assembled crowd as he crossed the finish line.

Maharashtra was represented by a large contingent led by its oldest athlete 82 year old Phiraji Mane of Kolhapur district.  Phiraji is a cyclist who took part in the race for the first time and bagged the third place in the above 80 age group.  Everyday he cycles about 40 kms climbing hills in the rough terrains of Kolahpur.  Cycling has given him the much needed endurance required for minithon races.  Winning third place has boosted his morale to a great extent and he plans to participate in many more races in the near future.  “I have no bad habits, eat a normal diet and cycling keeps me fit”, says this short-stature man with a steely determination.

63 year old Umapathi Mudaliar from Hassan is pleased with performance after grabbing 2nd place in 60 plus category competing in 5 kms race.  Mudaliar, who is also a cyclist, has been into social service field which has taken him different states of South India and 13 districts of Karnataka on cycle.  He is on a mission to spread awareness about HIV-AIDS and is confident that his good health will keep him in good stead in the next race.  “People from rural areas should be recognized for their achievements”, he points out.

It is not that Marathon or Minithon is only for competition or winning places.  There are people who have taken to marathon to loose weight but got hooked by the charm it offers.  Dr Avinash B Thakurdesai, a general surgeon from Maharashtra feels “athletics is the mother of all running and it is the most simple and cheap way of keeping fit and healthy. Running is a panacea for diabetes, blood pressure, obesity and other diseases associated with old age. I took to marathon to loose weight and I lost 20 kgs in the course of getting myself fit”, he declares.  Dr Avinash was first attracted by the Mumbai Marathon held in 2005 and ever since he has participated in 5 full marathons of 42 kms distance and more than 10 half marathon races.  “Marathon is lonely running where you are competing with yourself”, he states. 

The number of women participants was less as compared to men with only 60 participants in the event and 6-year old Seethalaxmi from Bangalore was the oldest participant.   Organizers feel that wide publicity would have attracted more number of women participants. 

At the end of the day there was smile on the face of the participants, winners and organizers.  The event was sponsored by Corporation bank and Ultra Cement and other sponsors also chipped in.  This enabled the organizers to award cash prizes to winners and even to those who secured up to 6th place in the respective events.  Everyone has gone with a smile on the face after a good lunch arranged at Rotary Bal Bhavan.  Following a hectic schedule in the morning some athletes from outside Karnataka went to Dharmasthala as they had enough time at their disposal as per their train schedule.  That would certainly make the trip to Mangalore a memorable one. 

These veterans definitely proved that age is a matter of mind over matter. Hope no one disagrees!