Vijayawada: More than a decade old and still strong

Vijayawada: It is around 4 a.m. and the roads are desolate. People are still not out of their beds but the environment at Andhra Loyola College grounds is alive with the members of Andhra Loyola Walkers Association (ALWA) on their feet. There are many grounds and associations in the city like Siddhartha School, Siddhartha College, 111, NSM Walkers Associations, Hug the Walkers. ALWA was launched on 26th December, 2004. Now, it is one of the largest walkers club in India. ALWA has 2,740 regular members, including 1,000 retired employees, 350 women, 67 doctors and 500 youngsters.  

Taking help from the Andhra Loyola College (ALC), they built two tracks with international standards. One of them is a 400-mt circle and the other is a 475-mt ellipse. ALWA advises all its members about steps to be taken to remain fit and healthy. On every second Saturday in a month, medical camps are held for the members. ALWA conducts Mega Walk competition during Ugadi festival for all the walkers clubs in the city.

"We encourage members to set goals for themselves and for the team," said T. Venkateswarao, president, ALWA. "We are into many social activities and support the needy.""We donated Rs 1.5 lakh to Hudhud victims. We contributed towards Capital building by pooling Rs 2.5 lakh and we also donated to an orphanage recently," said G. Tulasi Mohan, secretary, ALWA. "Walk for Health"is its slogan. 

ALWA members are marathon monarchs
ALWA comprises a doctors team, Jai Sriram team of North Indians, Laughing Club team and Amaravati Runners team. The Amaravati Runners team (AR) participated in many marathons held across India.  

They participated twice in Amaravati marathon, Navy marathon, Vizag, Beach marathon (Night), Vizag, Hyderabad Airtel marathon, Banglore marathon. They are planning to participate in the Goa marathon on 10th December and Amaravati marathon on 7th January, 2018. 

Walking for just 30 minutes a day can improve one's health to a great extent.  In AR,  there are 100 members aged 70 plus, 18 people who can take part in half-marathon (21km)  one athlete who can take part in  ultra marathon (50 km)," said Ramesh Raavi, one of the members.