Runversation: Boston, here he comes!

What Lord’s is to every cricketer, Boston is to every runner — the Mecca of running and the marathoner’s marathon. The world’s oldest marathon is a sacred place not only for elite runners but also for dream-driven weekend runners. It is so claimed that every marathoner dreams of running the Boston, someday. But why is it so special, revered and its appeal growing with each passing year? The mystique of the Boston Marathon goes beyond its age. Its the only marathon in the world where participants need a qualifying time, popularly knows as the BQ (Boston Qualifier) — the chance for unknowns to earn instant recognition, to vault into the upper reaches of marathoning.

With India witnessing an explosion of running culture, can Indians, or rather Hyderabadis be left behind? Romil Barthwal, a government employee was not an exceptional runner. In fact, when he ran his first long run, he was rushed to the emergency room for vomiting and giddiness. Having started his ‘recreational’ running career on that note, he soon realised running has that X factor which makes you do it again and again. One thing led to another, and soon he became the ‘baby-faced monster’, munching miles each day. And soon, on a whim, he decided to be a Boston Qualifier. He says, “Training for the Boston is tough, challenging, inspiring, fulfilling, enjoyable, time consuming, tear inducing, smile inducing and so much more.

“But it was the support, encouragement and sometimes the incredulous looks he got from family and running buddies that kept dreams alive. Training is possible if one is able to strike the right balance between family and work. I’ve had a supporting family, understanding bosses and colleagues that helped me pursue Boston dream,” he adds.

Under the guidance of an online coach and training with Hyderabad Runners for four months with grueling distances and speed, Romil was ‘Boston-ready’ when he was standing amongst thousands of runners on a pleasant morning in January this year at Mumbai Marathon (among the two races in India which get you the Boston ticket).

“The time leading up to a race start can often be tense with lots of ‘ifs and buts’ running through your mind,” he says.

But it was his day. From the instant he heard the starter’s gun he ran his heart out. Body tired, legs tired, time ticking but step by step getting closer to accomplishing his dream. Crossing the finish line after running for three hours and 10 minutes, he experienced a cocktail of emotions. Did he or did he not? After a few calls to friends and ‘Googling’ he was elated to know that he had accomplished his dream. He will be running the 2017 edition of Boston Marathon and is among the very few Indians to qualify. Savoring his incredible achievement, Romil says, “Running is not my everything. But it does mean a lot to me. It’s that thing I’ve been able to rely on everytime I needed to deal with life or to hash out something that’s been stuck in my head for days.”