If not to beat
the bellies of urban life, city residents and lifestyle planners have from time
to time engaged the entire town/city to participate and bear witness to the
mega marathon of the day- a celebration of sort. On days as such;
sports persons, health enthusiasts and common men alike come out on the open
streets, fully prepared to take their endurance level to test. We call them the
“Mega Marathons” and the word has become synonymous to city-level events
brought alive by participants from within and outside the virtual corners of
the host city.
I have heard
about Mumbai Marathon, Delhi Marathon and a few other annual events, thanks,
mainly due to athletic relatives and friends whose participation and winning of
sidekick accolades and titles came delivered to me as notifications through the
ever accessible social media connections that we have. Months back, an athletic
army man came to stay in our house for a few days, all courtesy of a cousin who
met him in Dimapur during his return journey from a trip to Guwahati. Well,
although I was to meet our guest for the first time, he was not new to my cousin’s
family. As armed-force personnel, our guest was posted in the Army’s outpost
located in our village for a good number of years during which he got to learn
much about our native village and the people. His name is Haneef M E, 31 years
of age hailing from Coorg district, Karnataka- a relentless marathon runner as
I soon found out.
Initial introductory exchange of words was
soon followed by meaningful conversations based on his life and spirit of taking
part in Mega-Marathons all across the country. It turns out- Mr. Haneef was in
Imphal to take part in the 9th edition of “Manipur Mega Marathon” organized
by the United People’s Front, Manipur. With little knowledge, specifically regarding
topics concerning Mega-Marathons in India, I chose to remain a good listener
and observer for most part of the times we spoke about it, except for
periodical expression of opinions and asking of questions aimed at further
enlightening myself. In short, Mr. Haneef did the talking and I recorded them
based on a mutually-agreed decision that I should write about his quest for
success. Having given up active involvement in outdoor sports since a few years
back, I was not surprised to learn so many things that were totally new to me.
Forget about less glamorous events in other states of India, if not for this
meeting which happened by chance, I would not have known of the
Mega-Marathon held in my town, which is about to hit a decade long milestone. Or, maybe it is just that long-distance running never get to be a subject of sports discussions in this 'hood without playground where everyone play soccer in the fields.
 |
| Haneef M.E, Pan-India Runner |
“This event is going to be my 11th
year of participation in mega-marathons..” says Haneef, as he continue talking about how he and others runners from his circle of friend had participated in previous editions of the Manipur Mega
Marathon too. Talking about how he dedicate his life for the service of the
country and at the same time pursue his personal interest in athletics, he explained how he has
to constantly train himself within the limits of the general facilities
available in places or centers where he is posted from time to time. Moreover,
throughout the eleven years that he has been in the Marathon circuit, his
pursuance for excellence in the field was self-funded. Talking about how he has
to make use of his monthly salary for diets, gears and travelling expenses
incurred, the runner expressed his wish for special provision and funding from
the Home department/Ministry. “Without such provision for deserving athletes in
the Armed Forces, I may have to leave behind this quest, leave behind all that
cheers my heart the most.” This he said will certainly be true when he get
married in a few years from now as by then he will have to invest his little
income to settling down as a family man. “ I would be heartbreaking though..” he
added with a visible tint of melancholy in his eyes. Nevertheless, he says “ I
will keep running as long as I can afford to run and take part in
Mega-Marathons nationwide."
Self-funded
through the years down to this lane of today that he is about take on,
relentless and spirited runner as he his; Mr. Haneef have tested his strength
and endurance level in many events, under varying weather conditions and have
succeeded in making a mark in most of the marathon events he had participated
in. From Bangalore to Delhi, Jaipur to the hills of Arunachal; he has been running
everywhere!
 |
| Haneef with Boingam- Langol ,30th March |
Staying a few days in Imphal, Mr. Haneef M.E left to join back duty in his base.The relentless runner took with him an award and well-deserved recognition, being placed 7th in the Manipur Mega-Marathon’2015. Here’s wishing him good health and success.
HANEEF'S MARATHON MILESTONES
1.
All India Run
2.
62nd AIPACC, Jaipur, 2013
3.
Shillong Run, 2014- 3rd
Place
4.
State Run for National Selection.
5.
NSG , Delhi Half Marathon, 2014- 2nd
Place
6.
Imphal Half Marathon (BJP), 2015- 6th
Place
7.
IGAR-N Cross Country, 2014- 1st
Place
8.
Chennai Bharat Marathon, 2014- 4th
9.
Tombaco Marathon, 2014- 3rd
10. Christ
University, Bangalore- #3rd place
11. IIT, Guwahati, 2010 – 3rd
place.
12. IIT, Guwahati, 2014- 10th
position
13. Assam Morang cross country, 2014- 1st
position
14. Battalion Cross Country,
Jairampur-Arunachal Pradesh- Running Trophy won after
3 consecutive Wins.
3 consecutive Wins.
15.
Mega Marathon Manipur- 2013: 8th
16. Mega Marathon Manipur- 2015: 7th position.
17. TCS- Bangalore World Tent
- (Open Category), 2012- 1st position
- Elite Category, 2014- 20th position
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