At 2:30am, sameer wakes me up and says, “yaar ek problem hai, 20 litres Wala jar nahi aaya”... and I’m like what next? It’s 3:30hrs for the race to start and we are not having water... wow... I was just thinking wasn’t the previous day’s challenges were already tough, for another one to crop up.
Flash back ....
Runforequity was a unique concept to spread the concept on Equality through a run on the eve of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Architect of Constitution of India and referred to as Founder father of Republic India.
Last year, this run was planned and executed in record time of 5 days with around 700 participants. Majority runners were from our company, Runburn coaching. The idea was clearly spelt that it would be a large event in 2018.
This year, Registration for Run started in mid February and it was a free event ( as decided ) and registration started picking up through word of mouth. At one point of time, as it approached 4000 figure mark, we advised Sameer to stop registrations as each registration now will add to the management challenges on race day. Even he agreed to our stand and closed registration in the last week of March when the Number of registrations stood at 5000 mark.
With registrations done, the next major challenge was execution to perfection. With Runburn being the run partner, the basic mantra “perfection cannot be compromised” stands true. My partner, Devendra Mane, agrees nothing less than this and we as a team strive to achieve this under all circumstances.
But since there was zero registration fee, the challenges were steep in all regards. Choosing between the best available option and the next best economical option led to compromises at various levels (especially regarding vendors). We had to accept Sameer’s proposal for vendors as entire economics of the event was his call.
We knew the funny aspects of the free registration concept. Anything free attracts large numbers without a doubt but people misusing the platform also holds good to a large extent.
We decided to keep bib distribution a week ahead of the race day because we could get a fair judgement of number of participants on the race day. 3234 bins were distributed over 3 days 7th, 8th and 9th April 2018.
The first day of bib distribution was a challenge as tshirt delivery reached an hour late than scheduled time and over 1000 bibs were distributed in 4hours between 5pm
To 9pm. We were drained and exhausted as in those 4 hours, we don’t remember whether we even breathed properly.
But this made us aware of the task on hand for next day, Sunday 8th April. With a larger manpower arranged, the process was much smoother and another 1000 bibs distributed. We all were disappointed a bit as numbers were far less in comparison to actual registrations done.
Monday had a box of surprise for us. Being the first working day of the week, we expected less crowd and had only 3 people for bib distribution for entire day - myself, Dev, sameer with 2 back up people - Vijit and Parthvi. People started coming in regularly from start time to end time and by End of
The day we had another 1000 bibs distributed.
Now, with over 3000 bibs gone in 3 days and many enquiries over the mobile from people who were unable to collect bib, we knew we had an event with 3000+ people on hand.
But few interesting points we noticed were, many people registered for 5km and 10km category as registrations were free. Many did not bother to collect bib post registration. Guys every bib added to the cost and we were managing an event with no revenue part. So just requesting all that it may be a free event for you but for the organiser he has paid for everything. If you can remember this, you may be more responsible.
To reduce the burden on race day, I did a route recce by Running on the proposed route and sharing Garmin details for all runners and pacers too.
Knowing our targets, myself and Dev reached venue on 13th the Friday at around 2pm. Sameer was busy with other arrangements and we kept ourselves with volunteer mangamemt and Water station placement decisions.
At 6pm, an exhausted Sameer came and informed us that, tomorrow being an exceptionally special day, the police permissions are cancelled and event is doubtful to happen. We both were zapped and did not know what to react.
We knew, there were 3000 people expected to reach venue in next 12hours time and here, the organiser is talking about cancellation of event . Understanding the graveness of the situation,
I said if we were to cancel or postpone the event, all SMS should be sent in next 1 hour so that the participants are informed and they get mentally prepared ( for everything including assault in all social media sites 😂😂)
The decorators with 2 truck loads of things, the cook with another load of things and we two were sitting on the couch doing nothing except staring each other and laughing at ourselves. Even sameer said a dialogue which got etched in my mind - “samaj nahi aa raha hai hasu ya rouu?”.
But then as you say, destiny plays its role, got a call out of nowhere at around 7:30pm that our event can be done with certain changes.
The change was not small one, it meant shifting of the entire holding area of over 10,000 sq ft to a small 1000-2000 sq ft. This needed reshuffling of the entire holding area plan which included baggage area, post run recovery area, refreshments, stage.
The planning began for readjustments. The cook was given green signal at around 10pm to start preparations for tomorrow which meant waste of over 4 hours, decorator was provided a plan at 12 midnight to proceed for a task to be completed within next 5 hours.
Everything set to task, I and Dev decided to take rest for 2-3 hours before the actual
execution for race was to start, which was a mammoth task, we knew. Having said that as soon as I laid on the sofa, I had a deep sleep but then known for this feature, Dev did not sleep comfortably.
At 2:30am, when Water arrived, we were in a rude shock that only 200ml waters were delivered and 20 litre jar ( for fast n up and protein ) was unavailable.
Franatic calling through various numbers from google started. Some vendors were miffed by this ( they called later and gave us a good hearing for the same). We were lucky that one call got connected at that unearthly hour and more luckily he agreed to deliver 20 litres water jar but on the condition that we needed to pick it from his place and he will not be able to deliver at our doorstep. We had limited options and we readily agreed to the given proposal.
Vijit shetty was given this responsibility. He joined us last night before dinner and we had him alongwith us for the entire trauma period. Vijit and Rashi happen to be our core strength always. They give ideas and take up major responsibilities during any event. Rashi was supposed to join us in the morning and take over holding area responsibilities. She was however updated with the happenings of the evenings on real time basis.
Getting up to this rude shock, I was just thinking whatmore is pending in this event? Every aspect of this run was an adjustment only (Jugaad). The good part again was all ‘Jugaads’ were happening. (Read Jugaad in the positive way of making things happen and not just compromise in any way)
Having woke up, I first went to put up km markers enroute at 3:30am and then took one the pilot bikers to show the entire route at 4:30am. Out of 6 lead vehicles, 2 bikers reported late, so the pilot had to be on route two more times.
In the mean time, I rushed to set up Water stations at our marked places. Fortunately there were only 3 decided water stations and the incharge has reached the start line by 5am. They are all adjusted themselves in my car and the truck loaded with water, tables and other things.
Three water station set up and it was 5:45am. I rushed back to start point as I had one more task of dropping volunteers at their respective marks on the road. 5:54am and I set off with 4 people along. Called Dev to know the status at holding area, and the next thing he told me was race was flagged off - I saw my watch, it said 6:03am. I was still with one volunteer. Dropped him at 1km Mark and sped in my car informing water station incharge and enroute police officers that race is flagged off.
Here a special mention of ‘Traffic police’ needs to be done as they managed the entire route (specially the major nakas) precisely. Else our volunteers alone could not have been able to control the road traffic so effectively. All runners were given priority and all the policemen stood their place till I did the final route recce and confirmed with me about the race being completed. Hats off to every single policemen out there !!!
Myself positioned at 2.5km mark as it was an water station 2 as well as 5km U turn point, very crucial one. I had Vedang, Indresh, Nihar for my company alongwith Unmesh, the photographer.
As expected the pilot vehicle reached our point in 10mins with lead Runner and a continuous flow of runners following them. Vedang rightly said, it feels as if I’m watching Bahubali live with soldiers running in our direction and we defending our nation (read Water station).
Few 5km racers apparently started their race alongwith 10km runners wrongly and we suggested them to take their u turn. Around 6:20am the lead runners were on their return journey and we placed ourselves on the other side of the road to help them with water too.
In between around 6:50-6:55am, the5km runners started approaching our water station and now the task was bigger to guide then to take u turn from our place. Alongwith cheering work (which started from 1st Runner), started announcing 5km runners tk Take u turn. Some of them definitely missed the announcement and went ahead too. As there were 10km late comers who were going ahead.
At around 8am, the entire flow reduced and runners became sparse, 10km runners returning to holding area were flowing in continuously on the other side. People seemed to enjoy walk run and since we had a photographer, we saw smiles, giggles and also short burst of Run for the sake of Running pic. (Runners are so careful of this aspect)
At around 8:10am, I went to check with other water stations ahead managed by Shilpesh and munmun. and 10km u turn managed by makrand and ninad. As every thing was under control, I checked the first water station Manned by Sree, Rohan and suraj.
Confirming about runners, I met volunteers enroute Aadi and his 4 friends, tejas, Suresh and Jagannath who were managing a crucial 200 metres loop in the first and last km of the race.
Around 25 trainees from ‘Pranar academy’ run by close friend Rakesh were taking care of important junctions of teenhaath naka, nitin company and Cadbury junction.
A race with more than 3000 runners managed by a handful of volunteers was a mammoth task and no amount of thank you will suffice the work done these volunteers.
After checking all water stations and enroute volunteers, I reached the base station (holding area) to know the situation. As expected could see sea of people in all directions.
Apart from volunteers from Runburn, the people from Hariom nagar needs a mention here. They voluntarily took over medals counter (around 10 people) and refreshment counter (10 more) and were managing baggage counter too. Few friends were on bike managing the route arrangement. Don’t know any names so just mentioning their area. We need to thank each one of them for pulling off the magic.
Met Vijit and Rashi, they informed me about the delay in serving refreshments. I could understand it was all because of the delay of 4 hours we had yesterday evening but it was not
to be told to everyone and the only important task was to serve everyone in the least possible time.
Coordinated with all and could clear the crowd in next 1 hour by 9am. In the mean time, all pacers were felicitated and prize winners were given their cash prizes too. Do not know what happened at stage apart from this as I was literally absent from that place.
Finally, went on another round to route for collecting empty water jars and volunteers who did not leave their place yet. 2-3 rounds of the same and road cleared from all bottles used and put in garbage bags.
The last lot of refreshment arrived and served them to the most deserving people of the day - the volunteers and then all of us - Sameer, Dev, Vijit, Rashi and myself met and had a hearty laugh when each shared his share of challenge he faced in the morning.
I’m sure each one can write a long block as mine and express his/her version of this event.
After reading my experiences of the event, I feel that there are some adjustments(Jugaad) to be done in an event but since 2 days it was only the Jugaad that we did and event happened. (Again I’m using Jugaad in complete positive sense)
We could have broken down anytime but Almighty saved our grace on many occasions and since the intent was good, things happened on its own. Thank you all runners, pacers, event managers, technical team members, TDAA officials and everyone who participated in this event and appreciated our genuine efforts.
We agree, Tshirts/refreshments/medals were not the best in the industry but yeah the experience we tried to provide to each runner from behind the curtains was definitely a genuine one and best of available facilities. The background of all this economics being met on the basis of few donations received was ultimate.
Next year, the mess will be out and it will
be an event to look forward to by every Runner.
Signing off on a positive note.
Vishu
Team Runburn
