Team Asha 8k Run, 2009 - Train, Run and Educate

One Team, One Dream


(Just at the start of the run)

All the runners came under one umbrella, Team Asha, for one dream, "Bringing Hope Through Education". A sea of runners vroomed passed the trails across Valley School campus as they gave those calm resting legs a rhythm.

We had kids from Valley school, Ananya, Thulir and Parikriya apart from the regular runners who took part with immense zeal and ardour.


Why Run with us ?


(Come, run with us)

If you are not running with us, you are missing something. No, we are not going to sound cliched but you should run with us as a Team or individual to know what it is to be like Team Asha.

Team Asha has grown in number and participation in the last couple of years in Bangalore and we have been thriving our best to support projects at Asha to the best of our abilities, both by running and through volunteering. You must attend our info sessions to know more about our training program and Asha's intiatives here in Bangalore and around.


The Trail


(Asha Running couple on their way)

The trail was a mixture of pebble strewn tar road and muddy trail.

Valley school is located at a very scenic location just 20 odd KMs from Bangalore and spread across a sprawling serene campus. What makes this trail tough and terrific is its hilly nature. There were enough uphills and downhills to keep all the runners busy panting and relaxing at the same time. We call it Pleasured Pain !

The entire distance was 8K split into two loops of 4K each. We marked all the trails by early in the morning with interesting comments and color codes. Most part of the trail was well shaded.

The Run


(Sea of runners above)

After trying to squeeze in every runner we began the run at quarter past nine (9:15AM) and the kids took the center stage and were all set.

The Race ?


(Enjoying the Run)

Though the whole idea behind the run was an implicit race. But as we pondered upon it we realized that it is the team spirit that needs to be promoted and race was just another dimension to it.

The whole idea of running together as a relay is to get your running partner feel good and the idea here was not your speed but the camaraderie you show to your running mate thereby completing the distance. Completion being the key, constrained with your limitations and that extra push you get from your partner and other running folks promoting a mutual goodwill among the runners.

During the Run


(Scenic trail and a wonderful couple)

We had many non-runners, who graduated today as runners. We don't distinguish much between a runner or a jogger or a walker. Simply put, you are a runner !

The best part is that almost everyone enjoyed being a part of this whole festival, a running festival working towards a common goal for Asha.


(The Father and daughter running pair)

We had people from the very the young to the old, the birders, the barefoot runners, the jolly-jolly runners and many more.


(Hip Hip Hooray ! Go runner Keep going !)

We also had great cheering support, thanks to the Valley school and its Fraternity. Some Team Asha veterans mingled in the group cheering and encouraging runners.

Eco Effect
We had steel tumblers in the water stops with bananas and glucose biscuits. We wanted to create as little impact to the environment and I guess we did that successfully.

Keeping in view of the surroundings and step towards environmental friendly runs. One of the Team Asha member's verbatim:

The water stalls were really refreshing to see. In any other event there would be so much wastage but here with the tin cups there was none. A model for other races to follow

Post Run


(The Registration and Goodie desk)

As the runners finished their respective distances they moved towards the Registration desk to collect their Tees. All the runners who participated got a Tee shirt and Tsunamikas as goodies.

That was their certificate ! You all deserved it.

We had herbal tea, black and and normal Tea also arranged for all of us and it was very refreshing.

Vote of Thanks



Thanks to Valley School for encouraging and letting us use their wonderful serene campus for all of us to be part of.

Thanks to Rajashekar group of hospitals for their medical help and ambulance facility with their doctors and paramedics.

Thanks to Sathya Dyeing for the Tee shirts from Thirpur (Tamil Nadu).

Thanks to Printo for the Tee shirt and bib number printing.

Thanks to Runner's High for their logistics and coordination for this event.

Last but not the least, to all the runners who took part with all enthusiasm and gusto.


(Team Asha folks during the run !)

Also, thanks to all the volunteers from Valley school and Asha:

Running with Team Asha is contagious, you catch a running flu

So if you want to train, run and educate, then come join us. Just drop us a comment here or mail us anytime, we will make sure you catch the Running Flu !

More about Asha Training Marathon program here:
http://www.ashanet.org/bangalore/marathon/

Contact Team Asha for training, mentors or webmaster:
anita [DOT] komanduri [AT] gmail [DOT] com


('End' refers to 'End of Illiteracy')

Go Team Asha, Go !

More pics in here:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/teamasha8k/TeamAsha8k2009BaluCam#

Media Bytes:

Citizen Matters, from Manjula Sridhar.
http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/1169-asha-8k-run-kanakapura-road-valley-school

Train, Run and Educate !