I had read about the Nasik Spirit
Run, held in the midst of vineyards, and wanted to take part last year. But the
registrations had already closed by the time I tried to register. I couldn’t be
late this year too & registered myself a good three & a half months
prior to the event. The run was scheduled 2 weeks after the Spice Coast
Marathon at Kochi (http://theotherwhys.blogspot.in/2015/12/a-spicy-run-along-spicy-coast.html) and I was sure HM would be beyond me, so it was the 10K this
time. You Too Can Run has got its hands on a very good property with Zendurance
Nashik Spirit Run. This was at the fag end of the daughter’s vacation &
this event became a family outing too. She was very happy to know that she
would traveling to two different places during this vacation which would be the
envy of her friends at school!


The event starts quite early
& the assembly is even earlier. As the road leading to Sula is a narrow one
which would also be where the runners would run the initial (and final)
stretch, one needs to be at the venue well in time. At around 5 am, I was out
on my way to Sula. Nasik, being an industrial town, there were enough people on
the way to guide me along. I actually saw a lot of people jogging/running early
in the morning. Now, being almost 10/15 km from the venue, I do not think they
were participating in the run. I think Zendurance/YTCR did not really publicise
the event locally, maybe to keep the numbers low. Most probably, these were
youngsters who had moved to Nasik after getting a job here. Of course, there
were also older ones out walking. This also showed that Nasik has a healthy
running culture which can be exploited by race organisers (there’s another
event in a month’s time). I found a couple of cars waiting by the side & in
response to my query was asked to follow as they were also going to Sula. Thus,
window panes now up, I was playing catch up rest of the way. Being early also
helps one easily find a good parking space.
It was a wonderful atmosphere at
the assembly point. The weather was cold, but not much. While other events
start at a large ground or a stadium, this one was within the Sula premises.
Beautifully landscaped, it had a cozy ambience. Runners were busy in stretching
& warming up in groups, or solo (like I was). The Aurangabad Blackbucks, a
running group from Aurangabad had sent a large contingent for the event. There
were families too, participating in different categories, who did not have to
spend needless amount of waiting time as the races (5K, 10K & HM) started
off with a lag of 5 minutes. This is helpful for outstation participants, else
the kids would get restless waiting over half an hour doing nothing (they never
stretch or warmup!!).


This stretch besides Gangapur is
quite narrow with a pair of well worn paths made by innumerable people &
bikes that have traversed it. The return leg takes one back along this way,
thus it is not easy to overtake a slower runner as you have others coming the
opposite direction. Of course, one can always run over the grassy patch in between
if one is in a hurry. I wasn’t.

A little further, and I came
across another couple of guys. One of them was carrying a backpack. I jokingly
enquired whether Sunday was not a weekly off & if he was immediately
rushing to office after the run. He appeared not at all unhappy while informing
me that there were no off days at work. To my query, he replied he had come
from Deolali. I knew that Deolali was a cantonment town & received the
affirmation that they were from the army. Part of the artillery unit, I was
with runners who were actually gunners!! So, it was another race day selfie
time with soldiers (remember, I had one at Kochi too). These are the people who
don’t expect an off day at work so that we can avail weekly offs & annual
holidays! One can never be grateful enough to our soldiers!!


Getting down we come across this
caution sign out up by the organisers & soon come up to a ditch that comes
into view at the very last moment. If not for the caution sign, more than a few
1st time participants would surely be stumbling down it. During the
younger days we would run through such ditches & enjoy thoroughly. However,
age brings not only maturity but also risk aversion along with it.



The local residents perhaps find
it funny to see so many people out running so early. But the predominance of
red colour on their dresses reminds one that we need to be elsewhere soon.
Back in my hotel room after an
enjoyable run, the medal too found its parking place!