This here boy returns for his 5th year organising a 5 and 10k run for the villages of Munsiari. This is where he fell in love with teaching kids things. For once, I’ve taken 5 years to come and see what he’s been upto. Here’s what it is and what it means for those he’s striving to serve.

The oldest runners (far left in this video) are 59 and 60 plus years old. They come and run minus practice every year. At the end of the race, they walk away, no extra press attention, no fuss.

The youngest are about 10.

The winners waited each other out and held hands and barrelled down to the finish line.

All these were folks, incidentally, that ran 10k.

The energy of the young ones who run, their commitment to sports in general and their support of each other is beautiful.

And that is nothing on the energy with which they all start off.

The community is there for them. Aunts, uncles, parents etc. to help set up and see through registrations, distribute bibs, turn around spot support, marking time, at u-turn and finish lines, documenting timings.

The people in charge made it effortlessly zero emission and no carbon footprint. They also washed and cleaned vessels for the 400 odd participants and volunteers, packed up in a trice, made sure there was no trace and left the field. Stylish!

In the meantime, our man behind the run scenes…

… He does what he does best-enable others to feel more fulfilled while being fully behind the scenes (Bah. Foiled by pesky older sister)

The kids, meanwhile, found yet another sports outlet, where they are celebrated and the message they get is, there are times when you run for the fun of it, not for prizes or glory. This spirit has taken 5 years to permeate through the community.

Here’s to bringing home more spirited, energetic, fair athletes into the fold.