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Operator
19th December 2013, 20:01
In category: people are awesome?

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An unexpected participant proved to be the game changer for the Baramati athletes participating in this year’s marathon race. The new participant took the organisers as well as spectators by complete surprise.

Not only was this participant a first timer in the contest, but also left all the “athletes” way behind within minutes of the “start” fire.

Everything about this winner was surprising. Let’s start with her age. She is 61. Yes! Now wait for more. She wore a traditional nauvari and ran barefoot.

And this was her maiden run.

No wonder then that Lata Bhagwan Kare was adjudged this year’s Fastest Marathon Runner.

The thing that caught everyone’s attention at the race was Kare’s dress -- the traditional nauvari. Secondly, she ran without shoes, and finally amused one and all when she defeated all the experienced and regular runners.

Kare is a resident of Pimpli, about 7 km from Baramati, and works as a farm labourer. She came to know about the competition from her relatives barely a few days ago.

Speaking to dna Kare said, “When I came to know about the competition, I decided to participate in the event. I gathered courage and informed my son that I wanted to run the Marathon. Initially, he gave me a weird look as in his opinion it was not possible, given my age. But I was determined, so he finally gave in.”

Before the event, Kare used to walk daily one kilometre in her village. “I used to go for morning walks daily, but I had never run. If I had even tried to run, people would have found it strange and they would have asked me uncomfortable questions,” Kare laughed.

Kare has been staying with her husband and a son in Pimpli for the past three years. She hails from Buldhana district and had migrated there for work.

When asked how she felt standing there on the start line, she said, “a little awkward, as all the other participants were staring at my dress. That also made me a little nervous. However, when the race began and I started overtaking them one by one, I gained my energy. While running I was talking to myself and telling that I want to win this race and I did it.”

She started her run with her slippers on. After a metres, one of her slipplers slipped out. She then left the other one too and continued running, which explains why she was barefoot.

Speaking to dna, organiser Sachin Satav said, “We never expected a participant like Kare to be the winner of the race. It was pleasant surprise. We were extremely happy while handing over the trophy to Kare.”

So? Will she participate in more such races? “I want to. But only god knows whether I remain as strong then as I am today.”


http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-this-nauvari-clad-granny-outsmarts-baramati-athletes-1936319

Rex
19th December 2013, 20:45
How long was the marathon?

Bubu
19th December 2013, 21:10
Inspiring... for the aged:)

sheme
19th December 2013, 21:37
Inspiring for any age- God forgive me I assumed it was the man! I should have known better.

Soulboy
19th December 2013, 22:36
How long was the marathon?

What do you mean how long was it? Isn't a marathon defined as being 42 kilometres long? Maybe I missed the point of your question. Please let me know if I did...

Operator
19th December 2013, 22:40
How long was the marathon?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon ==> "official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards)"

halffull
19th December 2013, 22:46
While running she told herself she wanted to win the race, and one by one she overtook the runners to win.

Awesome

Bob
19th December 2013, 23:13
How long was the marathon?

http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/athletics/218457-sixty-six-year-old-granny-runs-marathon-in-a-saree-in-maharashtra

according to the Sports ND-TV website they say 3 km was the distance. ref: NDTVSports | Last updated on Thursday, 19 December 2013 11:18

Thinking Allowed
20th December 2013, 00:12
Thirteen times less distance than a 'proper' marathon and running (and winning) in the senior citizens category is great for the lady who had never run previously but I think the opposition (judging by their attire) weren't seasoned runners either! Go girl, go!

markoid
20th December 2013, 01:23
Is she eating a sandwich while competing... and is that legal?? :)
You go grl!

Limor Wolf
24th December 2013, 12:48
Thanks, Bobd for the minor correction : )

What a great lady! unfortunately, the initial details are a little misleading. It is not a 42km but a 3km, (we are a 'truth seekers' after all!) Kare seem to hold a unique spirit nevertheless. I remember myself participating in half marathons when I was in my early twenties and the energy there indeed ran very high, but not that high :)