Kaveri Trail Marathon 2013 - Doesn't meet the hype !!!

First thing, I was just able to register for this event through my friend and got the confirmation week before the marathon day and could hardly manage to run couple of practice runs. With almost no practice, I was facing the half marathon running challenge. Only confidence I could put together was from the Hyderabad Marathon, which I had run on 25th August finishing it with descent time.

My friends Anup and Shireesh had registered for 10k run which was on 14th August and Half Marathon which I was running was on next day. So we couldn't plan out well about our stay and also some visiting the places around.

I left to Shrirangapatna on 14th by train, which landed me to my destination by 1.30 pm. Out in Shrirangapatna station, I was feeling it was kind of set for 'Chennai Express' movie, I could just feel that's not the real train station, it was pleasant and kind of picture perfect for the shoot. I took a rick and went to bib collection venue which was a resort on the Mysore-Bangaluru highway called Young Islands. I collected the bib and now what ? I called couple of my friends in Mysore then spoke to Anup about their run, by now they were on their way back to Bangaluru. I thought staying in Mysore would take a toll to commute early in the morning for the run, I decided to stay around race start which was Ranganatittu Bird Sanctuary. I got a decent room in a resort and settled there for the rest of the day.

I woke up with the race day bugaboo. Got ready and was there at the pick point by 5.30 am. I was dropping my bag at the baggage counter, a guy came to me and told we met in Mumbai. I could then realise he was Debu, friend of Radhe [my Pune friend]. I stayed at his place in Mumbai last year, when I was running my first half marathon. Oh, its such a good feeling to meet someone on your run at some unknown place. We exchanged some talk and its now race start time. Race start point was just after the entrance to Ranganatittu Bird Sanctuary. Weather was good, place was very green and route seemed less challenging though organisers claimed it to be toughest among the marathons in India. With no presumptions, I started the race, first half of the race was pretty much smooth with distance 10k covered around 1hr 2mins I guess. But soon sun was out and could feel the difference, I had hardly practised my runs under sun and this was bit draining me out. Till 16th Km, I was about time of 1.40 hr but could not maintain the pace and bad cramp pulled me to the walking lane. I pushed myself to the finish line and gathered my strength to do five push ups !! That's this years race ending fun.

Below my pic and my race results.

Overall Rank	Bib	Category / Gender	Category Rank	Gender Rank	Split@10.55	Net Time
395	3200	OPEN / Male	327	372	01:10:09	02:35:38

Although the race was not that tough but a little more practice was enough for me to complete the run around the 2hr mark. Hoping to reach that magic figure soon. As far as race is concerned, it the most scenic route for the marathon to run and enjoy. My next in the cart is Mysore Marathon on 29th September 2013. Hope to see you at Mysore, lets start Dasara together and Running !! 

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