SapthaShrunghi Hills - 21 Kms

Mr Foreigner tumhi  ikade yaa…… Saptashrunghi Hill Half Marathon .

“Woh dekh wahan takh run karna hai , said Bobby pointing at the dim fading light of one of the vehicles which was vertically at a angle of 75 degree” ……we laughed at the joke .

Few minutes later when Tushar and Shripad came we jokingly asked till where is the route …..they pointed out similar fading light at 75 degree and said that is 10.5 Kms one way….

In the fading moonlight which was giving way to a pristine virgin brighter sun light we could see the outline of the curvature of hills it was a beautiful curve .

Saptashrunghi hills mesmerized us ….. the aura in the eye of devi was one magical moment.

Saptashrungi as it is called is believed to be one of the holiest place in Maharashtra and it is often referred to as Vaishnodevi of West.

It was almost a month back  Aatul invited me ,mala and gangsofsonapur on behalf of Nashik Runners to join for the inaugural run. Aatul mentioned  it would one of   the toughest hill run.

I never took it seriously and was not sure of joining since weekend of 28^th and 29^th had four major commitments. We had a cricket tournament in our complex, the prestigious Vasant Oscar Premier League, there was marriage of a dear friends son and had a naming ceremony to attend again of daughter of someone dear.

I represents Green Gladiator in the VOPL, we played 4 matches till 28^th and won 2 and lost 2 . My staying back was important since team had to play 2 more matches to qualify for Final rounds. However , revealed to friends that I need to go to nashik . It was also an opportunity to show case my book to a different set of audience . I wanted to share the inspiring story of TheyInspire to people faraway.

Since , this was after SCMM , it was important to keep the josh and frame of mind positive for a hill run . For me it was another set of long run for my major event in February . So I knew if I do a 21 here its like getting a 25kms plus on flats.

So we started our journey at 1300 hrs from Mumbai on Saturday , me and mala , satish and bobby . Nashik Runners had arranged a talk show where we were to speak . However , we reached very late as we got stuck in traffic and to top that a weird car driver of ours . Saptashrungi is close to 80kms from Nashik . Aatul , sujith and many other friends were there to welcome us . Anu , Ketan , Ekta , sanjay and many more .

We were shown our rooms , it was like dormitory , the temple trust types .

Aatul and swapnil then took us for darshan of  Shrungi Maata , believed to be the 3.5 Avatar of Devi other prominent being Tulja ……………. We had one of the best darshans as anyone would desire , we touched the feet of mata .

After the food at the langar , one of the simplest yet one of the best foods , we retired for the day .

We now stand  viewing the hill , mala wanted to do a 10kms . I was so proud of her as she was attempting one of the toughest 10kms . I bid her good bye and moved on to run 21kms . It was so nice to see known faces from Nashik running fraternity . Shripad , Sonali , Tushar , Narayan sir and many more . Met many new folks too .

Me and dear friend coach bobby decided we will take easy . We decided to stick together till the end of the race .

As soon as the race started there were no flats available , we were running up , up , up and up and up and up…..pppppppppp.

Satish sir was guiding few comrade aspirants . Around 2kms , the first steep incline came and then at 3kms another and the journey continued .

We saw some real raw talent from the adivasi belt . At 5kms  there were local folk dancers dancing to the tune of local folk . We joined them and danced for 3 to 4 minutes (who cares about timing) . At around 7kms , we saw the Kenyan elite athlete on his return leg along with the pilot bikes , I reversed my direction and ran with him for 50 mtrs and then pilots requested “sir jaaona” . Around 8 kms there was some flat track and we gained momentum  . The end of the loop was near the shrungi temple in a village called wani . The 10.5 Kms turn was in a trail , it was such a joyous moment when entire village was cheering us . We prepared for our return loop with few more clicks . The return leg was mostly rolling down. What a great support from  the volunteers , aide point was there almost wherever we thought for . 

 Perhaps the best medically supported run with 05 fully equipped ambulances manned by the best doctors of Nashik.

We gave  many pose for photographers . Was happy that me and bobby crossed the line around same time together . Met mala who had completed her 10kms , I was so proud of her achievement , it came at one of the toughest run . Met many friends who cheered me when I was introduced on stage as a runner author . Gave away TheyInspire as prize for the winners

As Kenyan athlete was to be called, he was out of the audible range one of the announcer screamed on the PA system “Mr Foreigner, please come here “ ……

The hospitality which Aatul and Nashik Runners extend is mind blowing , such a bunch of enthusiastic runners who believes in the ideology for the runners by the runners . The mutton bhakri and beer at hotel gondhaal was out of the world …..

We drove back to Mumbai to be just in time for the finals of the Vasant Oscar Premier League and before I could realize what hit ….. I was facing the last ball of  tournament with audience on their toe and 4 runs needed of last ball …….man I scored 7 runs of that ball , 3 runs and a over throw 4 runs ……and before I realized I was lifted on the shoulders ……

thanks Murali and venky for the vodka in between the drinks time of the match ….. perhaps I saw the ball better ……