25/12/2019
Running is a natural activity. Almost everyone who is physically capable is seen running by the time they are 2 years old. Over the years some take it up more professionally than others and those who don’t see this activity as a burdensome way of getting back into shape. Many others negate the need for this activity through physical and mental barriers like bodily pain and lack of space & time. Then there are some who just don’t consider this as a meaningful activity.
Mr. Anil Gupta fell in a category of a mix of all of these when he took running at an age of ~61 years. Over the subsequent 4 years he was disciplined, courageous and also meritorious in his age category. He has participated in over 75 events across the country from the heights of ‘Ladakh’ to the cityscapes of ‘Bengaluru’, running competitive distances ranging from ‘5 km’ to ’50 km’ and covering all sorts of terrains - mountains, hills, jungles, trails, tracks & roads. He has at many occasions sacrificed his running timings to help others during various events. At other times he went to cheer & run with other in order to pace and help others achieve their best timings. Not just this, though his participation and encouragement he has also supported various social causes like education for girl child, save water, paying respect to martyrs etc.
He has also been associated with various groups mainly Joints n Motion (JnM, Thane) & Gurgaon Road Runners (GRR, Gurgaon) in order to better himself as well as encourage other fellow runners. He is fondly remembered as the youngest running member wherever he goes. With a timing of under 2 hours for a half marathon and under 5 hours for a full marathon, he may not be a world be**er but definitely a heart be**er for many runners who have ran with him.
These days he can be seen gliding around the scenic Fatehsagar Lake at Udaipur preparing for the country’s premier running event, the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020.
HAPPY & PROUD TO SHARE AN ARTICLE ON MR. ANIL GUPTA (MY MAMA/UNCLE) WHO HAD BEEN MY MENTOR.