The backbone of Airtel Hyderabad Marathon

‘I was always criticized by my elders and peers for being too much of an introvert. Thankfully, that trait is a thing of the past now.’

‘My family members and acquaintances kept a distance from me because I was a rather shy girl, who preferred to be left alone. Thank God, there is a dramatic change in my approach to life.’

‘Although I was a good student, I was a terrible let-down in extra-curricular activities. Group discussions and participation in debates on subjects that were close to my heart were nothing short of anathema. Stage-fear added to my nervousness. I feel blessed that I have been able to overcome such paradoxes.’

‘Socialising was something that I dreaded. I would get frightened to even talk to my friends’ parents. Now, I feel so rejuvenated that I open up and present myself as a lively girl, who can deliver enthusiastic pep talks.’

A random look at the utterances by those in the 17-23 years age-group, will give an impression that the transformation has come about because of some professional counselling or listening to motivational speakers.

It might sound strange but each of them owes the change in mindset to a mantra that is all of three words; Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, more popularly known by its AHM acronym.

Mind you these dramatic changes have given a welcome, and timely, makeover to the personality traits of close to 3000 college-going boys and girls from the twin cities.

For the records, Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, which began on a modest note in 2007, under the aegis of the not-for-profit Hyderabad Runners Society, and has grown in stature, is an annual competition featuring the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Run and 5K Fun Run.

It has reached such an exalted position that it is today second only to Mumbai Marathon in terms of largeness although it is deemed the toughest marathon route. Airtel came on board in 2011.

If one is wondering whether these 3,000 and odd youngsters are in the running for a competitive high then the individual would be flummoxed to hear that they don’t participate in the race per se but constitute a critical component on the day of the race.

A tribute to their role comes from Dr Murali Nannapaneni, Race Director of AHM, when he contends ‘you see if we from Hyderabad Runners form the think tank, then these exuberant youngsters remain the backbone, whose work at ground-zero is crucial for our success.

We appreciate their unstinted supportive role that has helped us to make an onward march as the torchbearers of community running in Hyderabad. Their overwhelming participation despite not being in the limelight is what invigorates each of us.’

That’s it! The away from the thick of action young boys and girls are the unsung heroes of AHM because of the enormity of work they put in as volunteers.

Right now they are all looking forward to August 28, a day when they will once again exhibit their sense of work ethics in their endeavour to accomplish the task on hand.

An interaction with them (most are pursuing graduation at various colleges) showed that they were happy being behind the scene workforce and left to do what they like to do best-chipping in with the less glamourous, but hugely satisfying, work, which is taking care of the runners on the big day.

They are not cheerleaders like those seen during the IPL jamboree but they are those whose cheerfulness brings about a refreshing vibrancy among the runners, as they race on the tough terrain and head for the home stretch in their quest for marathon glory.

As volunteers they render menial jobs along the route, including taking care of drinking water facilities, removing litter and helping to maintain cleanliness all around. Each of them seemed delighted at being volunteers, whose number has been swelling by the year.

For them a reward for their toil is not in materialistic terms but in getting a pat for a ‘job done well.’ Meanwhile, signalling their professionalism at every step, Hyderabad Runners Society goes volunteer-scouting through its outsourcing collaborator Yo! Grad, a city-headquartered student-networking community, which is spearheaded by Arpita Soma.

Arpita points out that the response from colleges has been ‘encouraging and increasing every year. We conduct sessions for those keen on coming aboard AHM and train them in accordance to the task they seek from among several that are lined up.

Those with experience are made team heads and entrusted with the responsibilities of a select group. We position such groups at vantage places along the route so that the runners will have assistance at every stage of the race.’

A unique feature of the entire set up is that AHM is a meticulously planned affair that sees the brains behind the run interact with everyone associated with the event, almost at regular intervals.

To the student volunteers, the mentor-like role is donned by Arpita and Naina Krishna, who has been teaching Spanish to MBA program students of National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) at Gachibowli for the past seven years.

‘Having seen the evolution of the Run from close quarters and the manner it is growing with each edition, I feel that in course of time, it will be an event that will be in the ‘must participate’ priority list of globally reputed marathoners.

The best part of the volunteers is that they double up as our ambassadors in that they inspire their fellow batch-mates and peers,’ points out Naina in complete awe of the work the volunteers are putting in.

After another dry run this Sunday, the smartly attired youngsters will stand out in their dress code for the big one on August 28 when the city will wake up early to be there at the starting point.