Bangalore Full Marathon @4:45

Finally, got a marathon completed this year. I trained pretty hard this year - woke up five days a week before 5:00 A.M., ate correctly, felt guilty everytime I consumed beer, stretched hard and gave up a significant portion of my social life.

The marathon was well organized for Indian standards and ranks better than the Chennai Marathon. Some of my observations were:

Pros:

a) Route was scenic with a lot of greenery.
b) Water adequately available for the first 30 kms
c) The cops were extremely friendly and encouraged the runners
d) We found a few folks on bicycles, helping the runners by carrying water, biscuits and gatorade.
e) For most part the crowd cheered.

Cons

a) After three hours, I found myself on the national highway running against trucks.
b) No water whatsoever after 35k.
c) Too much confusion at the entrance. Could not get the certificates or medals.
d) Lost my cell phone - left it in the locker in the stadium and somebody broke it open.
e) Along with water, some energy biscuits/ glucose should have been provided.

The Mumbai marathon, the best organized one in India is scheduled for Jan 21,2007. Some of the folks fromt he chennai runners are planning to participate in the event. I think my target at Mumbai considering that they stop traffic will be to complete the full marathon distance in less than 4:00 hours.