Running is not only about staying fit but also about bonding and finding people with similar interests. Members of Indiranagar Runners, a club that was formed three years ago by Ankita Gaur, say there's no excitement in running alone and it is always better to get the community together.
The club consists of people of all age groups. Some of the members have graduated from being regular early morning walkers to serious runners. Even women make concerted efforts to complete their household chores early to join the group every morning. Ankita, who spearheaded the formation of the club, says the idea dawned on her when running alone became a boring proposition.
"I was looking for company and running alone sometimes becomes boring. A group of friends keep you motivated and you get to learn a lot from them. Cubbon Park is good option for runners but we have nothing in our neighbourhood. Hence, I decided to form a small group just to run and have fun," explains Ankita.
She points out that the group has runners from 17 to 25 years. "There is no restriction on the age limit. I have met some interesting people through this group. From great runners to beautiful human beings who have taught me a lot of things. It has helped me evolve as a long-distance runner," she adds. Some of the members of the group say that they usually hit the road for an early morning jog but only after they joined the group did they start to run in a more disciplined manner.
Vishal Namboori, an IT professional, who joined the group almost a year ago, says, "You meet all kinds of people and this indirectly helps you network better. I started to run a disciplined way only after I joined the group and mingling with the others has changed my perspective towards the culture of running."
It is the diversity of the group that motivated Abishek Rao, an employee with Nokia Network, to join it. "Running is a great way to de-stress and a wonderful hobby because it keeps your mind active and helps widen your social circuit. The trend of running has caught up with a lot of youngsters in the city," he observes.
There's no compulsion to run and the group does well to celebrate fitness, feels Ratan Prasad, an employee of Intel and one of the founders of the group. He points out the group has about 500 followers on Facebook and the numbers in the city have been growing by the day.
"Running as a group instills a discipline and dispels a lot of myths about what comprises a balanced diet. The talks by experts help people understand why running is an important activity that needs to be practised religiously," explains Ratan. Akshay Takkar, another member of the group, says that it's only after he started running on a regular basis that he realised that it not only boosts one's mental and physical strength but also leaves one feeling active throughout the day.
"Running with the group has helped me develop stamina and also given me an insight into the different techniques involved in running. The group easily motivates one to making running an indispensable part of one's routine," he concludes.
(The group can be reached on agaur3@gmail.com)
The club consists of people of all age groups. Some of the members have graduated from being regular early morning walkers to serious runners. Even women make concerted efforts to complete their household chores early to join the group every morning. Ankita, who spearheaded the formation of the club, says the idea dawned on her when running alone became a boring proposition.
"I was looking for company and running alone sometimes becomes boring. A group of friends keep you motivated and you get to learn a lot from them. Cubbon Park is good option for runners but we have nothing in our neighbourhood. Hence, I decided to form a small group just to run and have fun," explains Ankita.
She points out that the group has runners from 17 to 25 years. "There is no restriction on the age limit. I have met some interesting people through this group. From great runners to beautiful human beings who have taught me a lot of things. It has helped me evolve as a long-distance runner," she adds. Some of the members of the group say that they usually hit the road for an early morning jog but only after they joined the group did they start to run in a more disciplined manner.
Vishal Namboori, an IT professional, who joined the group almost a year ago, says, "You meet all kinds of people and this indirectly helps you network better. I started to run a disciplined way only after I joined the group and mingling with the others has changed my perspective towards the culture of running."
It is the diversity of the group that motivated Abishek Rao, an employee with Nokia Network, to join it. "Running is a great way to de-stress and a wonderful hobby because it keeps your mind active and helps widen your social circuit. The trend of running has caught up with a lot of youngsters in the city," he observes.
There's no compulsion to run and the group does well to celebrate fitness, feels Ratan Prasad, an employee of Intel and one of the founders of the group. He points out the group has about 500 followers on Facebook and the numbers in the city have been growing by the day.
"Running as a group instills a discipline and dispels a lot of myths about what comprises a balanced diet. The talks by experts help people understand why running is an important activity that needs to be practised religiously," explains Ratan. Akshay Takkar, another member of the group, says that it's only after he started running on a regular basis that he realised that it not only boosts one's mental and physical strength but also leaves one feeling active throughout the day.
"Running with the group has helped me develop stamina and also given me an insight into the different techniques involved in running. The group easily motivates one to making running an indispensable part of one's routine," he concludes.
(The group can be reached on agaur3@gmail.com)
Running is not only about staying fit but also about bonding and finding people with similar interests. Members of Indiranagar Runners, a club that was formed three years ago by Ankita Gaur, say there’s no excitement in running alone and it is always better to get the community together.
The club consists of people of all age groups. Some of the members have graduated from being regular early morning walkers to serious runners. Even women make concerted efforts to complete their household chores early to join the group every morning. Ankita, who spearheaded the formation of the club, says the idea dawned on her when running alone became a boring proposition.
"I was looking for company and running alone sometimes becomes boring. A group of friends keep you motivated and you get to learn a lot from them. Cubbon Park is good option for runners but we have nothing in our neighbourhood. Hence, I decided to form a small group just to run and have fun,” explains Ankita.
She points out that the group has runners from 17 to 25 years. "There is no restriction on the age limit. I have met some interesting people through this group. From great runners to beautiful human beings who have taught me a lot of things. It has helped me evolve as a long-distance runner,” she adds. Some of the members of the group say that they usually hit the road for an early morning jog but only after they joined the group did they start to run in a more disciplined manner.
Vishal Namboori, an IT professional, who joined the group almost a year ago, says, "You meet all kinds of people and this indirectly helps you network better. I started to run a disciplined way only after I joined the group and mingling with the others has changed my perspective towards the culture of running.”
It is the diversity of the group that motivated Abishek Rao, an employee with Nokia Network, to join it. "Running is a great way to de-stress and a wonderful hobby because it keeps your mind active and helps widen your social circuit. The trend of running has caught up with a lot of youngsters in the city,” he observes.
There’s no compulsion to run and the group does well to celebrate fitness, feels Ratan Prasad, an employee of Intel and one of the founders of the group. He points out the group has about 500 followers on Facebook and the numbers in the city have been growing by the day.
"Running as a group instills a discipline and dispels a lot of myths about what comprises a balanced diet. The talks by experts help people understand why running is an important activity that needs to be practised religiously,” explains Ratan. Akshay Takkar, another member of the group, says that it’s only after he started running on a regular basis that he realised that it not only boosts one’s mental and physical strength but also leaves one feeling active throughout the day.
"Running with the group has helped me develop stamina and also given me an insight into the different techniques involved in running. The group easily motivates one to making running an indispensable part of one’s routine,” he concludes.
(The group can be reached on agaur3@gmail.com)
The club consists of people of all age groups. Some of the members have graduated from being regular early morning walkers to serious runners. Even women make concerted efforts to complete their household chores early to join the group every morning. Ankita, who spearheaded the formation of the club, says the idea dawned on her when running alone became a boring proposition.
"I was looking for company and running alone sometimes becomes boring. A group of friends keep you motivated and you get to learn a lot from them. Cubbon Park is good option for runners but we have nothing in our neighbourhood. Hence, I decided to form a small group just to run and have fun,” explains Ankita.
She points out that the group has runners from 17 to 25 years. "There is no restriction on the age limit. I have met some interesting people through this group. From great runners to beautiful human beings who have taught me a lot of things. It has helped me evolve as a long-distance runner,” she adds. Some of the members of the group say that they usually hit the road for an early morning jog but only after they joined the group did they start to run in a more disciplined manner.
Vishal Namboori, an IT professional, who joined the group almost a year ago, says, "You meet all kinds of people and this indirectly helps you network better. I started to run a disciplined way only after I joined the group and mingling with the others has changed my perspective towards the culture of running.”
It is the diversity of the group that motivated Abishek Rao, an employee with Nokia Network, to join it. "Running is a great way to de-stress and a wonderful hobby because it keeps your mind active and helps widen your social circuit. The trend of running has caught up with a lot of youngsters in the city,” he observes.
There’s no compulsion to run and the group does well to celebrate fitness, feels Ratan Prasad, an employee of Intel and one of the founders of the group. He points out the group has about 500 followers on Facebook and the numbers in the city have been growing by the day.
"Running as a group instills a discipline and dispels a lot of myths about what comprises a balanced diet. The talks by experts help people understand why running is an important activity that needs to be practised religiously,” explains Ratan. Akshay Takkar, another member of the group, says that it’s only after he started running on a regular basis that he realised that it not only boosts one’s mental and physical strength but also leaves one feeling active throughout the day.
"Running with the group has helped me develop stamina and also given me an insight into the different techniques involved in running. The group easily motivates one to making running an indispensable part of one’s routine,” he concludes.
(The group can be reached on agaur3@gmail.com)