The city of Anand celebrated the 57th year of Indian republic with a difference. Citizens from all walks of life – college students to senior citizens – came together and ran a stretch of 11kms for the cause of cooperation. The mood was marked by sheer exhilaration and enthusiasm.
The event was the invitational road race organized by ‘Vagabond’ the adventure club of IRMA. ‘The Anand Run’, was thought of as a first step to bring the citizens of Anand on a common platform. The initiative will be taken further to deal with various social issues in the city like environmental degradation, education, liquor addiction and such. The race started at 10.30 am from the IRMA campus to end at the Sardar Patel trust museum gardens. There was an overwhelming participation of around 300 people from 34 colleges and few organizations in the city.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Hiren Patel, an ex-Ranji Trophy player. The run was sponsored by GCMMF, Sardar Patel Trust and Sri Krishna Hospital, Karamsad. Chocolates and flavored milk pouches provided by Amul were distributed to the participants. Athletes were treated to ‘Stamina’, a drink for the sportspersons provided by GCMMF. Adequate arrangements were made to meet any medical contingencies including two ambulances from the Sri Krishna Hospital Karamsad.
There was a blood donation camp at the institute from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm with good response. Doctors from the Sri Krishna Hospital Karamsad conducted the camp. The first prize in the men’s category went to Gadhavi Hitendra Bhavan from TV Patel Arts College who completed the race in 46:43 minutes. In the women’s category Sonam Lamo who was on visit to IRMA as part of the Ladakh delegation won the prize. She completed the race in 1:10:27 hrs.
Prizes were distributed to both male and female participants by Mr.R.S.Sodhi the Chief General Manager of GCMMF. It was the first time that the students were organizing such an event. They were ably supported by Mr. Jude D’souza, a national level athlete and has years of experience in organizing marathons and road races. The students of IRMA placed on record their appreciation for his invaluable support.