Gurugram, 21 November 2019: The Apollo Tyres Millennium City Marathon has not only started a running revolution in Gurugram, but has also touched and impacted many lives in the Delhi NCR region. The event has been very fortunate to host a few runners who have enthusiastically participated in ATMCM since the first edition in 2015.
A retired CPWD engineer, Satish Saxena, who ran his first-ever half marathon at ATMCM 2015, expressed that the Apollo Tyres Millennium City Marathon has helped him increase his self-confidence tremendously.
“I have completed more than 30 half marathons in the last four years. My confidence has gone up because of running. I don’t feel weary anymore. There is great joy in being energetic and enthusiastic. Some years ago, I felt envious of a Bengali man in his mid-50s who would run relentlessly. I am able to do it myself now,” says the 65-year-old.
A pediatrician, Anjali Nayar has many memories to cherish from each of the four earlier editions of the event. “I will miss my dad this year,” says the 57-year-old pediatrician, wistfully before regaining her poise to say that she will dedicate the run to Brig. DP Nayar’s memory.
Anjali Nayar, who took to running at the age of 51 – “to be able to stay fit and be a fun mum for my teenaged daughter’’ – says that the fact that the different feel to the Millennium City Marathon and that its courses past their Sector 56 homes ensured that Brig. DP Nayar would turn up to cheer his ‘little girl’ run each year.
The Data Security Council of India Chief Executive Officer, Rama Vedashree has seen the Apollo Tyres Millennium City Marathon grow in stature year after year.
“I can see that Abhishek Mishra is keen on making MCM a big event in Gurgaon. I chanced upon him when he was training for Ironman. I love the city that I live in and so, I signed up for the half marathon back in 2015. There may not have been many runners back then, but I have seen the event grow in stature year on year,” she says, explaining her attachment with MCM,” says Vedashree.
The Senior Manager at Goods and Services Tax Network, Pankaj Arora explained why the participants of ATMCM have a positive experience each time.
“Since the MCM is conducted by an athlete who understands the needs of runners before, during and after an event, the participants have a positive, pleasurable experience each time,” says Arora.
A Chief Financial Officer on a break, Aditya Mishra says the event goes way beyond the tender coconut water (nariyal paani) that is a USP. “To me, the most important thing is that ATMCM listens to feedback from runners and has seen significant improvement each year.”
“ATMCM cares for the last finisher, even in the holding area, ensuring that there is refreshment and physiotherapists are available just as they are for the faster runners. The experience is memorable and encourages others to come and run. And yes, the ability to park your car and, without a hassle, join the run is a great thing,” says the 47-year-old.
The people from the Delhi NCR region will show their spirit and enthusiasm once again at the fifth edition of Apollo Tyres Millennium City Marathon on 1 December 2019.
