The city of bright lights and dreams was up and running for a cause Sunday. The Mumbai Marathon 2008 brought together stars and commoners on the streets of the country’s commercial and entertainment capital.
Shabana Azmi, a first-time runner, treated the marathon as a “social responsibility”. “I’m participating for the first time. I’m also flagging off the Harmony Silvers run for Tina Ambani. I’m doing it for the Rahul Bose Foundation. It is for tsunami-affected children who are studying in Rishi Valley.”
Ruslan Mumtaz and all his friends from the Shaimak Davar Dance School loved the thrill and the spirit of brotherhood that the run fostered. “To me, the marathon is all about unity. It’s about the coming together of every person who’s a part of Mumbai,” says the young celebrity. For him and his dancing school mates, it was a reunion party.
For television anchor-cum-anchor Rakshanda Khan, the marathon was an indication that the heart and soul of Mumbai is still on the right track. “I’m participating in the marathon for an NGO called Shraddha. People may think Mumbaikars have no time to spare for others, but the swelling number of participants at the marathon every year proves them wrong.”
Over 30,000 Mumbaikars - celebrities, corporate executives, students, social workers, housewives and even the man on the street - tested their stamina and fitness to drive home the message that running is not stressful for the heart. The chief sponsor of the run was the Standard Chartered Bank.
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