Shillong: In Cherrapunjee it never rains; it pours. Despite the lashing rains marathon runners from within Meghalaya and across the region and the country sprinted and jogged their way in the Sohra-Cherrapunjee Marathon on Sunday. No one seemed to mind the heavy downpour although it managed to slow down some of the runners.
The organisers – Run Meghalaya – had warned all runners sufficiently by calling this marathon – running with the rain clouds and runners were prepared. This time the run was a complete one way as against the one last year where runners turned from the half distance to arrive at the finishing line. The route was all the way towards the Sohra stadium where the 42 km run which started at Baniun near Mylliem, concluded.
This time the youngest runner was four and half year old Kian Pde Mukhim who ran almost nine kilometres. He was accompanied by his grandmother Dr. Beatrice Mukhim who is a regular marathoner herself and who been the oldest participant to complete the 25 kilometre run. The young runner had also done 5 km of the Swachh Bharat run held in Shillong.
Despite the pelting rains the spirit of all the runners was upbeat, each one encouraging the other. This time the 42 km runners did a detour through the road towards Laitlyngkot and cut across through Kyrdemkhla to arrive at the finishing point in Sohra. The whole route was laid out in great detail with the help of Sohra MLA Titosstarwell Chyne who flagged off the 25 km half marathon.
Sports Minister, Zenith Sangma flagged off the 10 km run from Mawkdok and said that he too would be running this time. “I feel very encouraged to see the turnout despite the heavy shower and I wish all the runners good luck. This time I will join you in the run,” Zenith said.
Former Ambassador Rudi Warjri, President, Run Meghalaya, flagged off the full marathon from Baniun, Mylliem, at 6 AM. Speaking to this correspondent, Warjri thanked all those who wholeheartedly supported this edition of the run namely the State Sports and Youth Affairs Department, North Eastern Council, MLA and MDC of Sohra and especially the volunteers from the Shnong who lent their full support to the marathon.
This time there were 250 plus runners for the 42 km run, 800 plus for the half marathon and 600 plus for the 10 km.
The rains did manage to throw things out of gear. This time the coordination between the organisers of Run Meghalaya and the Police department did not sync too well. Buses that carried the participants and which were supposed to park at a particular place were told to move away to a different venue.
As a result participants who were told to bring a change of clothes and had kept their bags in the buses could not locate them. Many were shivering with cold having been drenched to their bones. They were disappointed.
Many others felt that the 2nd edition of the Sohra-Cherrapunjee Marathon was better organised in terms of food stalls available at the finishing point at Mawkdok. This time food stalls were set up all the way in Sohra and since vehicles were not allowed to the venue it created many problems for the runners who were already tired and wet. The entrance towards the Sohra stadium was messy and slushy and it being Sunday, most tea stalls in the Sohra market were also shut.
