By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Run Meghalaya, an initiative to promote long distance running in the state has decided to adopt the Kenyan model to train 13 talented marathon runners, who will compete at the Delhi Half Marathon, scheduled in November this year.
As a pilot project, Run Meghalaya will train the athletes as per the techniques that have been very successful in Kenya, a country that has produced many of the world’s best marathon runners.
“We have developed this model with the help of one of the prominent marathon runners from Kenya who has come forward to support this cause of assisting the distance runners from the state,” Gerald Pde, who has been instrumental in forming Run Meghalaya, said while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.
Besides documenting this unique model of training to help the athletes to have a better understanding of this new concept, Pde said that they are also planning to take videos of the athletes during their practice to further facilitate their training by identifying any weaknesses.
“We are hopeful that this Kenyan training model will enhance the skills and performance of the marathon runners from the state. No state in the country has adopted this model to train their athletes,” Pde, who has taken part in various marathons worldwide, including the recent Boston Marathon, added.
On the training that the athletes will undergo in the next few months before the main event, he said that the runners who hail from Shillong will be practise together, with Run Meghalaya coordinating and monitoring the training of other athletes from Mawkyrwat, Garo Hills and others parts of the state over the telephone.
“The athletes from the outskirts will practice in Shillong at least once a month,” he said, adding, “We are targeting the male runners to clock under one hour, 20 minutes or better and 1:45 for the women.”
Pointing out that the state has a tremendous potential to produce marathon runners that can compete in the national and international arena, Pde said that it is really sad that Meghalaya is yet to have a full-fledged coach in long distance running.
When asked about the funding of this project, he said that it is citizen funded; around 41 individuals and organisations from different countries have come forward to support this new project.
“Citizen funding is a concept where anyone who is interested in the cause donates and brings together a larger number of people responsible for the project. The funds will be used for travel and accommodation, running apparel, training, medical support and other costs,” he said.
Those interested in contributing towards this cause can log onto www.runmeghalaya.com.
