MUSSOORIE HALF MARATHON

Mussoorie Half Marathon 2015 is the 4th annual half marathon organized on 25 Oct 2015.This is categorized into three races 5k, 10k and half marathon.This year 116 Runners signed up for the half marathon and I was one of them.The race started at 6500 ft on a out a back route in a hilly terrain,So many hills and elevation change of 2000+ft.Honestly I thought my half marathon going to be the lonely one as I knew the route is tough and I am new & slow in running world.

THE DAY

6:10 am It was little dark but peaceful.I went through the steep road which was the only way to hotel in n out I walked for 5 min to reach the taxi stand. As I came nearer to the hanifl center I can see the crowd and music was loud enough to tell yes this is the place. I Could see some security officers handling the crowd and the cab passing by.

I had many thoughts by the time race begin there was a small garden in which tables were set with the refreshments for runners.I could see runners stretching and warming up themselves before the race.

START LINE

Music was filled in the air and in between I could hear a person shouting race will be starting in 10 min and I went to the stairs looking at the mark of start and finish together .All the runners for half marathon gathered  and on the set time it started for few minutes I was running with a group a person near me said “neeche dekho or bhagte chalo”  (look down and keep running) but that’s something I never do in running.

I realized sooner than soon that this route is scenic amazing beautiful and tougher than tough.It has snake like curves huge mountains and you can see the boulders fell down due to landslides and the beautiful chain of hills which crosses through Mussoorie and yes we were all running on that scenic route.

within the first 1 km I could see a cute small temple and bhajan was played in the morning which was actually very pleasing and a good start for running that’s something you can see only in India 7 am prayers in temples.

After that I chose to walk more than running and I could not push my self I didn’t had mountain road training and running on 6000ft altitude is more than a challenge. When I reached to 10k turnaround point a young boy came to me asking about half marathon route. We kept moving together we could see runners passing by who were returning back to finish line we kept our thumbs up and smiling for the great job they were doing and they were cheering back by saying keep moving you can do it. Then around 9 Km mark he found his brother and went with him. With a quick good bye I carried on my way I was little surprised by me that how can I still have energy to walk more on this hilly route which was looking nothing less than a trek to me.While I was running alone a runner who was coming from the half marathon turn around he shared his chocolate with me.

The cheerful voices of volunteers could be easily heard from the other end of the mountain you cant see them but you will get idea that you are very near to hit the next water stop.

when I reached the half marathon turnaround point they  were full of enthusiasm and shouting you can do it and great job and all the kind words that one would love to hear while running.

with that I headed back to the same route but this time to finish I was half way done & motivated more but to my surprise a bus came to me with students of Woodstock cheering and the bus stopped and I was running all of a sudden a group of volunteers came to me and starting walking with me they said they will finish with me. I was in the middle of this group who were cheering so high. They were Singing dancing and playing music loud. Honestly I didn’t realized when we reach the 10 k turn around point.

FUN FINISH

We found a man sitting on the crash barrier painted in white he was also running this half marathon. He joined us and so now there were two runners and a bunch of student volunteers hitting the road. We all finished together and yeah how can I miss the ‘eye of the tiger’ background music they sang.

My sister found me in the hanifl center and we headed to the bus station to go to straight home with my happy bling. #2ndHalfMarathon

 MHM 2015 was well organized with every kilometer marked.You wont find fancy start and finish line structures but it will be well marked. Volunteers are full of energy you can hear them cheering around the hill you will cross,water stops I felt was well placed.The scenic view and the challenge of high altitude in Himalaya range is something one can not find easily moreover its far from the pollution of city. Running in mountain roads is the best challenge a runner will enjoy.This is the race I will recommend to other for sure .