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City of joy ready for Classic Run: The Times of India
Kolkata, Nov 16: Bring out the fancy shorts and sneakers and practice some workouts. For on December 7, you can join a 1,000-member strong line up at Maidan for the 10-km Calcutta Classic Run.
Kolkata, Nov 16: Bring out the fancy shorts and sneakers and practice some workouts. For on December 7, you can join a 1,000-member strong line up at Maidan for the 10-km Calcutta Classic Run.
“Ten kilometres is a ‘classic’ distance and will help position the city alongside hugely popular runs in Chicago , New York , London and Boston ,” said Paul Walsh, deputy head of mission at the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.
He is one of the key organisers of the second edition of the Calcutta Classic Run. In last year’s 7-km race, an Ethiopian student had beat 299 other competitors to the finish line.
“The run’s for all to enjoy; a refreshing change from the hardcore professionalism that has swamped other sports. People should turn up in large numbers to cheer the participants,” event patron and former Davis Cup captain Naresh Kumar said. Open to all athletes over 16 years of age, the run will start from Queen’s Way and meander through Red Road, Eden Gardens Road, Strand Road, Rani Rashmani Road, Chittaranjan Avenue, S.N. Banerjee Road and Dufferin Road before finishing near Victoria Memorial. The Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation will join the organisers to ensure a smooth running.
“The beauty of the run is that people can jog and walk along roads that are forever crowded. The run will celebrate the city and promote healthy living,” said East Bengal Club physio Kevin Jackson.
“It reminds me of the runs back home,” said the South African, who has challenged his team captain Sulah Musa to beat him to the finish line. Both title sponsor HSBC and CII have evinced their commitment to the event. HSBC senior manager (eastern India ) Brampton Mundy said he was confident of the Calcutta Classic Run making it big in the coming years.
While the Chicago Classic draws 20,000 participants each year, London and Boston marathons clock numbers ranging from 50,000-60,000.
“We want to institutionalise as an annual event with lot competition and global participation in the years to come,” added CII director general Amitabh Khosla.
He is one of the key organisers of the second edition of the Calcutta Classic Run. In last year’s 7-km race, an Ethiopian student had beat 299 other competitors to the finish line.
“The run’s for all to enjoy; a refreshing change from the hardcore professionalism that has swamped other sports. People should turn up in large numbers to cheer the participants,” event patron and former Davis Cup captain Naresh Kumar said. Open to all athletes over 16 years of age, the run will start from Queen’s Way and meander through Red Road, Eden Gardens Road, Strand Road, Rani Rashmani Road, Chittaranjan Avenue, S.N. Banerjee Road and Dufferin Road before finishing near Victoria Memorial. The Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation will join the organisers to ensure a smooth running.
“The beauty of the run is that people can jog and walk along roads that are forever crowded. The run will celebrate the city and promote healthy living,” said East Bengal Club physio Kevin Jackson.
“It reminds me of the runs back home,” said the South African, who has challenged his team captain Sulah Musa to beat him to the finish line. Both title sponsor HSBC and CII have evinced their commitment to the event. HSBC senior manager (eastern India ) Brampton Mundy said he was confident of the Calcutta Classic Run making it big in the coming years.
While the Chicago Classic draws 20,000 participants each year, London and Boston marathons clock numbers ranging from 50,000-60,000.
“We want to institutionalise as an annual event with lot competition and global participation in the years to come,” added CII director general Amitabh Khosla.