This run is not for the faint hearted

Hyderabad: If you believe that marathons aren’t challenging enough, you can test your mettle by participating in the ultra marathon that will be held in Hyderabad on November 5. 

Runners will start from Gachibowli Stadium and proceed along the western side of the city to cover a distance of 50 km. The terrain and the weather will make this already-difficult task even more demanding.

Marathoners have been preparing for months in anticipation of this challenge. Sunil Menon, one of the organisers of the Hyderabad Ultra-Marathon, says, “It is for the first time that an ultra-marathon is being held in Hyderabad. 

The biggest challenge for runners will be the elevation because of the hilly terrain. The route will begin from Gachibowli Stadium, pass through the Financial District, up to Movie Tower, and back.”

Anupam Singh, a participant who has enrolled in the 50 km category, says, “It is my regular cycling route, but I have never dared to run on this route. It in-cludes the Wipro Junction elevation and a small hill. Runners who have registered in the 50 km category will have to cover this route twice.”

Runners believe that long-distance running is a mental challenge as much as it is a physical challenge. 

The marathon will be particularly difficult for participants from out of the city who don’t know what it is like to run on Hyd-erabad’s terrain. 

Poonam Metta, who first began running for breast cancer awareness, says, “The only advantage is that we have been trained for months. If you are well prepared, focused, and have been monitoring your diet, then you can leave everything up to your fate.” 

Commander Anand says, “Despite all the challenges, the Hyderabad Ultra-Marathon is my Mecca, a way to for me to overcome fear and enjoy the spirit of Hyderabad without keeping the weather and the terrain in mind. My strategy is to conserve energy for the second half as it is going to be a six- to seven-hour-long run.” 

300 runners have signed up to run the entire 50 km, 1,000 to run 25 km, 1,500 to run 12.5 km, and about 1000 to run 5 km. 

The first edition of the Hyderabad Ultra-Marathon is expected to have over 3,800 participants across all categories.

Nataraj Adiga, the director of the rice and an ultra-marathoner himself, says, “I share a long-standing relationship with Hyderabad and a strong connection with the running community. Hyderabad, which is an active city, can reach greater heights in terms of sports and recreation in the years to come.”