TCS World 10K introduces an exclusive women pacers squad

Groups of three pacers are divided as per their running speed and every group is identified as a bus
Anjana Mohan, one of the pacers
Anjana Mohan, one of the pacers

I run, therefore I am,” says Haruki Murakami in his book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. This weekend, many runners will perhaps discover this feeling at the TCS World 10K run in Bengaluru. While there will be many first-time runners, there are also those who have been running for a while and are giving back in their own way to the running community. They sort of sum up Murakami’s thought.

Anjana Mohan (39), is one such runner. Anjana, general manager at a manufacturing company is part of the 18-women pacer squad at this year’s event. Introduced for the first time, this squad of women will help runners by pacing along with them at different speeds and ensuring the participants complete the run. So what does pacing mean? Groups of three pacers are divided as per their running speed and every group is identified as a bus. There are different buses between the 50-minute and 90-minute bus. Those in the 50-minute bus are the fast pacers who will complete the 10-kilometer distance within a 50-minute time frame. The slowest bus is the 90-minute bus where pacers will run along with slow runners to ensure they complete the run. 

“I am part of the 70-minute bus,” says Anjana, adding, “We will be driving the bus, which means we will be leading. Anyone can join us. We will be carrying a flag with the minutes prominently mentioned on it.” The role of a pacer is to maintain a predictable speed so that other runners measure their performance as per the pacers. Anjana who has been running for 11 years says, “Many people run to achieve their personal best (the timing in which a runner completes the run). But for me, personal best can be anything, it could also mean that you have been able to achieve your running dreams against all odds. I want to help people figure out their personal best on the trail as running offers many metaphors for life,” says the seasoned runner. 

Like Anjana, Bahar Sinha (42) who is part of the 55-minute bus, also agreed to be a pacer to help others achieve their personal best. Bahar has completed previous 10K runs in a matter of 50 minutes. But this time, she has taken a break to help other runners, “This is my way of giving back to the running community. Since it was a women pacers squad, I agreed to be a pacer,” she says. But for Dr Ranjani Ramanujam (41), being a pacer means she will be sharing her joy of running with others. Ranjani who admits that she used to make fun of others who run has discovered the joy of running over the last few years. She has participated in marathons and has gone from 70 kgs to 57 kgs. “I want others to understand what a runner’s high is and that state of bliss. This is my first event as a pacer and I am excited,” offers the 90-minute pacer. 

So this Sunday, even as thousands take to the streets of Bengaluru to run, the squad of 18-women pacers will try its best to ensure as many runners as possible have a smooth and gratifying run. 

ayeshatabassum@newindianexpress.com
@aishatax

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