Hyderabad: As the countdown begins for the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon later this month, runners from across the country are making their way to the city not just to prepare for the event and race, but to be part of an experience that has become a yearly ritual for many.With over 28,000 runners registered this year, 20,356 from Hyderabad, those in the age group of 35-44 lead in participation, showing the growing fitness culture in that age group. The youngest registered runner is just 9. Runners from cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, Nasik, Vizag and others are taking part but Bengaluru recorded the highest entries at 683. For Vizag’s Srinivas Kancheti, founder-secretary of the Vizag Runners Society, this marathon is non-negotiable. “It’s always on our calendar. Around 100 runners from Vizag are taking part. Hyderabad is considered one of the toughest marathon routes in India, especially the stretch from Necklace Road to Gachibowli with all the flyovers. We train in Vizag’s humid weather and do hill repeats specifically to prepare for Hyderabad’s terrain,” he said. “What I’m really hoping for is more participation from local Hyderabadis, like in the Tata Mumbai Marathon, where residents come out in large numbers to cheer and support runners with hydration. That kind of community involvement makes a big difference,” explained Srinivas. From Kochi, Ramesh Kartha shared a similar love for the Hyderabad race. “We train in extremely humid weather, so Hyderabad feels like a relief. For this race, we do 18 weeks of training, with special hill runs at a place called Colombo that has 15 hairpin bends. It’s our way of preparing for Hyderabad’s elevation.” Anirudha Athani from Nasik said, “From my group alone, 25 runners are participating, the point-to-point route, the warmth of the organisers and the finish on the stadium track all of it makes the achievement feel special. This is a challenging route, so I would tell new runners not to chase timings, enjoy the route, the changing scenery and the energy of Hyderabad.” Aditi Pandya from Bengaluru said, “The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon is one of the most renowned and well-organised races in the country. This isn’t my first time in Hyderabad. It’s always marked on the calendar for the third week of August. I’ve been training specifically on elevation to prepare. What I love most is the crowd support, the whole experience from the start area to the race route and the post-race is beautifully managed, which is why I keep coming back.” While Hyderabad draws participants from across the country, the city’s own runners feel deeply connected to the event. “Hyderabad’s marathon route is known for its rolling hills and tough terrain, which can really test your endurance, but that’s also what makes it so special. If you’re running here for the first time, pace yourself, stay hydrated and take it all in. The crowd support, the city’s energy and the sense of community you feel along the course make it one of the most memorable races you’ll ever run,” said Sravan Dwibhashyam, a city-based runner. Sangitha Gupta said, “The Hyderabad Marathon will truly spoil you for any other race. The terrain is one of the best and toughest in India, making it both challenging and rewarding. Running with friends, family and fun co-runners makes it a joyful event year after year. Hyderabad’s course never gets boring, it’s mind over matter and that’s what keeps me coming back year after year.” “Running in Hyderabad is tough, but that’s what makes it special,” said Soma Jagan Mohan Reddy. “The NMDC Marathon truly captures the spirit of our city with its challenging hills, iconic landmarks and the energy of a growing running community. Every climb and every kilometre tells a story.” “Aryan has always wanted to run and compete with me. Every time I trained, he would ask when he could join and he ran with me during my training. So this year, we signed him up for the 5K run. It’s a proud moment for me to see his excitement and commitment at such a young age,” said Aishwarya, mother of Aryan Dubey, the youngest registered participant in this year’s NMDC Hyderabad Marathon. “I love running and I’m excited for the run, I want to run fast like my mom and get a medal too,” added Aryan.
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