As India’s Independence Day was being celebrated across the country and the world, a unique tribute was given by the Sindhu Runners Team in the form of the Sawantwadi 12-hour Run. In order to provide a platform to the budding and sports-loving youth of Sindhudurg district to showcase their skills and gain more knowledge from the national and global level athletes, Sindhu Runners Team implemented the concept of 3 Hours / 6 Hours and 12 Hours Run at Sawantwadi. This was also the fourth time such a run was organized in Sindhudurg district. Team members of Sindhu Runners Omkar Paradkar, Prasad Korgaonkar, Dr. Snehal Govekar, Dr. Prashant Madhav and Bhushan Bandelkar and the rest of the team spent about two to three months getting the necessary permissions, T-shirts, insignia, hydration support, etc. to make the event happen. The Sindhu Runners team took special care to ensure proper arrangements and proper hospitality to their runner friends coming from outside the village.
Around 60 participants from different parts of the district took part in the competition. Yuvraj Lakhmaraje of Sawantwadi Sansthan and Yuvaranji
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Sou. Shradha raje Bhosale provided significant support.
The eun started on August 17 , 2024 at 8 PM from the historic heritage palace of Sawantwadi in the presence of Yuvraj Lakhmaraje of Sawantwadi Sansthan and Shri Rohan More, eminent swimmer, Shiv Chatrapati awardee and Tan Xing Norway awardee of India and other dignitaries. Starting from the palace, the runners had to run for 3 hours / 6 hours and 12 hours for a distance of 1.6 km to Sawantwadi Moti Talab. There was no restriction on the number of kilometres to be covered, but runners were required to meet their chosen run time. Hydration and food was organized by a vote of all the runners (bananas, moong beans, boiled lentils, dates, konkan sherbet, water and much more) The real test for the runners was to run at bedtime as they were running through the night. A team of specialist doctors from Bhaisaheb Sawant Ayurveda College, Sawantwadi, and a team from Barrister Nathapai Physiotherapy College were also part of the team. The team provided medical check-up and physiotherapy support to the runner from time to time.
A team of specialist doctors from Bhaisaheb Sawant Ayurveda College, Sawantwadi, and a team from Barrister Nathapai Physiotherapy College were also part of the team. The team provided medical check-up and physiotherapy support to the runner from time to time.
Some renowned doctors from Sindhudurg district also participated in the run and expressed their best wishes for the organization of Sindhu Runner. At the same time, a few small runners, including Sahaj Burad, Om Raut and Manas Sawant, ran for 2 to 3 hours. The winners were honoured with gold medals and certificates. As the time was running out, the runners were getting tired, but with the goal of completing the maximum number of kilometers, the runners were running continuously. The run was concluded at the Palace on 18 August 2024 at exactly 8 am. At the end of the run, the runners were given Fascio Therapy and refreshments.
For the participants from Goa it was quite an experience. Sunil Jadeja who has been running from 2017 participated in the 6 hour run. For him it was a practice run for the marathon he intended to participate in Hyderabad on Sunday. In the six hour run he completed 48 kms. He ran at night, the conditions he said were good since he ran in the night and the organizers had made arrangements for hydration. The only problem he said was the humidity because it had rained in the morning. It must be remembered that all this was being done by a guy who took up running for health purposes.
For Narciva Nagvenkar who also participated in the six hour run it was a run with its own unique challenges. He is a veteran long distance runner but running in circles was a challenge. He was running around Sawantwadi Moti Talav. He said, “ Been running long distances but running in circles was a bit of a problem. We ran anti clock wise for hours then we shifted our direction. It was tough and demanding. I ran 100 km from Ponda to Sawantwadi in May. I had good company and that is always good when I am running long distances. I have never tried running solo during long distance runs. I run 2 to 3 times a week “. He will be participating next in the marathon in Hyderabad . After that it will be the Satara Hill run. He will be running for the next three weeks. He said when he was running it was never a problem to run long distances. It was a problem when he took a break and then tried to run long distances. He intends to do the 100 km Malnad run in Coorg in the month of November.
For the veteran Nitin Fadte who has been running for four years it is the 12 hour run that he participated in. He ran 80 kms. For him it has been quite a journey and it has everything to do with his legs. He was recommended to do surgery. He ignored all the advice and started walking. After 10 days he felt some improvement. He ignored all the medicines and continued on his own course. He slowly then started running. When he started running he was 85 kilos and now he is 63 kilos. For him the 13 hour race was an interesting experience. He had company for the first six hours which made it great fun but after that it was a battle. He said, “ When I reached 70 kms it was a battle, I thought of giving up. I was leading and I was told that the second guy was just a lap behind. I pushed myself and won it with me being 7 laps ahead. I am thinking of running 100kms in December in Maharashtra. I am getting mentally prepared. I am 47 but young at heart.”
