Kochi: Last Sunday many in Kochi woke up as early as 3 am. The late risers were ready in a bit and headed to Willingdon Island in their best sneakers and fitness outfits. The energy was palpable as 3000 of them, young and old, got ready for one of the best marathons in the country.

The marathon started at Willingdon as early as 4 am and proceeded to Kumbalangi and Kannamaali before winding up at Thoppumpady. The event was segmented into the full run of 42.2 kms, the half run of 21 kms and the family run of 8 kms. Out of the 300 who did the full run, Vikram Bachupally Jaganath was declared winner after completing the full segment in 3 hours and 13 minutes.

Kochi is awakening to a new trend in fitness thanks to the efforts of Soles of Cochin, a group of likeminded souls who believe in staying fit and instilling the regime of fitness in others as well.

Soles of Cochin has come a long way since it was started three years ago, feels Ramesh, one of the founder members of the organisation. A health freak, Ramesh is a regular at the Mumbai and Hyderabad marathons and is just back after taking part in the Boston Marathon. For him every marathon is a test of endurance. “A challenge against yourself,” he says.

According to him, there should be months of practice before someone gears up for a marathon. A particular regime is also to be followed. “We run the maximum distance in the first two months and then slow down as the event nears or else it drains your stamina.” Even though Kochiites have awakened to the idea of fitness, they still lack in well-developed jogging tracks, feels Ramesh, whose health secret is his eight hours of running per week.

Soles of Cochin conducts marathons with the support of the District Tourism Promotion Council.