Hyderabad: Mohit Chawda, a first-timer, completed a 5K run on Sunday, at the 16th edition of Hyderabad Runners Club Run at the Hyderabad Central University (HCU). Eight weeks ago, staying up early was a task.“When I started, running even 1K felt like a challenge. But through the eight-week training programme, it became part of my routine. The toughest part was waking up early and staying consistent, but once I committed, I saw a huge difference, not just in my running but in my daily life,” Chawda told Deccan Chronicle. campus. He was among the 3,000 runners who took part in the 10K and Half Marathon (21.1K) categories.“I have more stamina, I feel healthier and running has now become a habit. This 5K is just the beginning, I’m looking forward to my next challenge, maybe a 10K or even a half marathon.Shankar Ganesh, a mentor, stated that training beginners to run was about gradual progression. “We start with a run-walk method, building up their endurance over eight weeks. Strength training, breathing exercises and consistency are key,” he said.“Many of the new runners started with a New Year’s resolution and by February, they achieved it. That moment of seeing them cross the finish line, it’s rewarding,” he added.Students from HCU also took part in the run, like Ramachandra Rao. “It was an amazing experience running alongside so many passionate runners. The energy was infectious and it really motivated me to push my limits. I’m definitely looking forward to more such events.”For Rajeev Subhedar, an experienced runner, running has changed his life. “It started as a personal fitness goal but over the years, it has become a social and mental wellness activity. Events like these bring people together, foster discipline and prove that anyone can run with the right mindset and training.”Dr D. Naresh, completed his half marathon with a personal best of in 1 hour 57 minutes. “Finishing in under two hours felt great and was a personal achievement for me. I’m already looking forward to my next run.”Many runners are now looking ahead to upcoming events, including the NMDC Marathon in August.“The location was fantastic, they chose a great route for the run. I had set a goal to complete my run in under 60 minutes and I’m happy I achieved it in 57 minutes. I’m now looking forward to participating in the upcoming NMDC Run,” said Vedant Shenoy. Sunday’s run included a charity initiative, raising funds to provide footwear for government school children.
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