Meraterahrun

MTR2024 Day 12 Update by Brijesh: Kem chho? We asked people of Surat. And they answered with unparalleled exuberance. Neither the fervor of Navratri garba nor the overnight thunderous rains stopped more than a thousand people to join us for the RUN FOR MANN. Flagged off with the musical band by the blind school children, the event had laughter yoga, yoga, games, garba, zumba, quiz, singing and what not along with the run. It was all focused on the various aspects of mental health. Cheerful volunteers greeted us on the course. The breakfast after the run had quintessential Surati touch. More than 40 organisations came together to put up this event. It was an example of how important role of community is in a personal and societal health.

We thank Dr Ami Yagnik, Sarvajanik Education Trust, Vama Wellness Center for Women, Ramkrishna Samvedna Trust and all the other charitable, educational, and fitness organizations who made this event a memorable one.

Surat, you rock!

MTR Day 9 Update by Guru: Today's run is very special for 2 reasons - It is World Mental Health Day and MTR reached another point where rail line ends i.e. Katra. In 2014, the team had gone to Atari near Wagah border, just to touch the end of line there and we wanted to do the same here as well.

This year, the theme reminds us of the importance of ‘mental health at work.’ Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health. Do read what Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia had to say on this occasion - https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/10-10-2024-world-mental-health-day

We dedicate today's run to all mental health professionals and caregivers, who strive every single day towards tackling a lesser understood problem.

Run update: The train reached Katra an hour late. So the start of run had to be pushed. The hotel they Yatris were staying at was 900 mts from the train station so the group simply walked. What is 900 mts for those that run 13k to 13 miles. Right? A quick change and the group started their run from the hotel itself. Some runners walked/ran to the start location for Vaishnodevi Temple and added distance by going there. Other runners took the scenic Kashmir Road and did an out and back.

Two Yatris - Gurudev Nagaraja and Nitin - decided to hike up to the Vaishnodevi Temple and run down the trail, which is quite challenging. They completed this adventure in 4:45 hrs. (which otherwise takes around 10hrs) and clocked 30 kms in total, while ascending 5300 ft!!. Let's all give it up for them for upping the challenge.

The Vaishno Devi temple is dedicated to Vaishnavi, the combined form of the Goddess Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. It's one of the holiest shrines in India and receives millions of visitors each year.

Lunch and rest for some time and the Yatris are now off to Ambala for another exciting run.

MTR2024 Day 3 Update: After a rough bus ride Yatris reached Nagpur at 7am. They were greeted by the members of Nagpur Runners and Riders group. In their company, they ran a beautiful course passing by significant milestones such as to Zero Mile point (geographical center of India), Civil Lines, Japanese Garden, and Futala Lake. MTR run is never complete without tasting and … sometimes devouring local delicacies and today was Poha, Jalebi, and the famous Nagpur Santra Barfi before they boarded the train to Raipur. It was a short but indeed sweet day in Nagpur!
Today's message on mental wellbeing: 3 things running can help with -
1. Stress Relief: Athletes like Olympic runner Shalane Flanagan highlight how running serves as a form of meditation. She notes that the rhythmic nature of running helps clear the mind and reduce stress.
2. Community and Connection: Runners like Meb Keflezighi discuss the community aspect of running. Engaging with fellow runners fosters connections that can be incredibly uplifting and supportive.
3. Overcoming Challenges: Elite athletes often share that running teaches resilience. For instance, sprinter Allyson Felix reflects on how facing physical challenges in running translates to overcoming mental obstacles in life.

Jagdish Damania Sindhu Naik Gurudev Nagaraja Santanu Misra Neeth D'Souza Brijesh, Anand, Suman Rajesh Vorkady