Fidel Castro, in combat fatigues, ran, hitching up his pants every 10 metres or so. Also on were spiky hair-dos and bald pates, colourful Nike Airs and bare feet, world champions and first-timers, along with the differently abled and more impersonators.For a city constantly on its toes, hosting and participating in the country’s biggest ever international marathon came naturally.Over 20,000 people wove their way past down town Mumbai’s Gothic architecture, streamed along the sea at Marine Drive, pounding traffic-less streets at the Mumbai International Marathon 2004. There were nearly as many spectators egging each them on, armed with banners, balloons and motivational numbers, imparting a rock-concert like energy to the event.“I’m feeling good,” said Anil Ambani, vice-chairman and managing director, Reliance Industries, as he warmed up just before the event. Ambani, cheered on by his entire family, finished the Half Marathon in good time, and then went on to participate in the less gruelling, celeb-laden 7-km Dream Run.While professional marathoners from Africa bagged the first three spots in the main event, the city also saw several other ordinary folk trundling across the finish line nearly three hours after the prize distribution ceremony. Proving a point to nobody but themselves in the 21-km Half Marathon and the Dream Run.13-year-old Himanshu Tapadia, out all alone, didn’t want to let his month-long practice in a Mumbai suburb “go in vain”. While presenter/actress Mandira Bedi was “thrilled to bits at the support for her in the Dream Run.” “Four km is max for me, but the support of the crowds helped me finish all seven km,” said Bedi.It wasn’t all hunky dory, though. The meet also had its share of problems, like lack of proper directions on the route and more teething troubles, which resulted in many participants from across the country ending the day without certificates or even medals.“The response totally overwhelmed us. We might have made mistakes, but with this kind of overall support we can only get better, “ said Vivek Singh, director, Procam, promoters of the event.As the dust settled and blisters rose from tired feet, marathon winner Hendrick Ramaala from Johannesburg savoured his moment. “The humidity was too much, but you just got to work around it,” said Ramalla, 32, among South Africa’s top marathoners. Next stop for him is the Olympics at Athens. But in 2005, he wants to do more than just run. “I thought India would still be full of spiritual gurus and sadhus, but there’s none here. Next year, I’ll seek them out.”
