Go Heritage Run Ooty offers an added fitness incentive while exploring the heritage of The Nilgiris

Even as the running circuit has seen a considerable increase in the number of events, plain old tar trails seem to be losing their sheen, especially with obstacle courses becoming the circuits to conquer in 2018. But with events fitting this description happening few and far in between around Ooty, Coonoor and Coimbatore, lifestyle runs like plogging and heritage runs along high altitudes and hilly terrain circuits have taken off in The Nilgiris. Perhaps, this phenomenon would explain the doubling of registration for the Go Heritage Run in Ooty. The fourth edition of the run that has so far seen 800 registrants for this year is a spin-off on GO UNESCO run and is part of country-wide marathons across lesser known UNESCO-certified heritage sites in India. Calling it a vacation run that offers a holistic view of heritage sites, founder Ajay Reddy and his team will kick off the Ooty run on June 3.

Take it from the top
An untimed event that charts its course through the sports ground within the Lawrence School in Lovedale, goes past the Italian Gothic styled main school building, across Lovedale Church, alongside the Nilgiris Mountain Railway past the Ketti valley viewpoint before heading back to the start line. “The idea is to make the run an event for everyone, where whole families can enjoy historical sites,” says Ajay. 
While age has never been a concern with participants ranging anywhere between four and 80 years, Ajay stresses that the runners take the time out to learn about the destination, art, craft, architecture and culture of the region. “Our target audience is an informed runner and to give the complete experience we give the participants a chance to learn about the region through a series of articles in the weeks leading up to the run.”

Local love
Inspired by the local heritage of the region, the Go Heritage Run finishing medal like always is the handcrafted and embroidered Pukhoor from the Toda artisans in The Nilgiris. However, we learn the medal has been altered as an embroidered bracelet with this edition.  

Go Heritage Run Ooty 2018 is on June 3. Rs 673 onwards. Reporting time 6.30 am