Staff Reporter –
One might ask what is common to a grandmom, a college professor, an officer who served in Sudan as part of UNPKF, a naval officer, a couple of helicopter pilots, a rural development officer from Nagaland, and an adventure freak.
All of them and 20 others will participate in the world’s first World Athletic Gold Label Race TSW 25K road race promoted by Procam International on Sunday, December 15, as pacesetters for the 25K and Open 10K events. For the 25K, 17 men and one woman will pace runners, while in the Open 10K, 9 women pacers will guide participants to achieve their target times.
Notably, a couple from the Indian Army’s air wing, Anuj Kumar and Akanksha Kumar, both helicopter pilots, will be pacing the 25K. They will lead the 1:58 and 3:00-hour pace Bus, respectively, offering inspiration and support to runners.
While Aruna Bhaskar, a 53-year-old special needs teacher and grandma, will lead the 75-minute pace, Alina Goperama, an assistant professor hailing from the picturesque hills of Darjeeling, will lead the 55-minute pace.
Add to them Sudhir Daryan, an adorned olive green who has served on foreign assignment in South Sudan as Part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces (UNPKF) who will set the pace for 2;30 hr mark and Vijay Bhaskar, a rural development officer in Nagaland who wants to bring a clean future through renewable energy, will work the 2:45 hr mark.
As varied as the field gets, Vikram Chhibber, an adventure freak, and Renu Mathpal, a Boston qualifier marathon runner, will also be setting the pace.
“Pacing is a selfless act and it is commendable to see our officers along with our women pacers come forward to help their fellow runners achieve their personal best,” said Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International.
With pacers as varied as the participants in Open 10K, the race promises to be an all-around attraction for everyone, from the elite to the amateur.
Women 10K Pacers (10km)
Alina Goperma (Darjeeling), Renu Mathpal (Darjeeling), GB Surabhi, Sonal Pal, Sonu Agarwal, Diksha Jhunjhunwala, Vidhi Agarwal, Aruna Bhaskar, and Sweta Sheorayan (All Kolkata).
Defence Forces Pacers (25km)
Anuj Kumar (Captain, Indian Army), Inderjit Singh (Colonel, Indian Army), Rohit Patted (Lt. Colonel, Indian Army), Anoop Joseph (Subedar, Indian Army), Yogesh Gera (Major, Indian Army), Kuldeep Singh (Corporal, Indian Air Force), Hareesh Chandra Kumar (Capt. Retd. Indian Army), Munish Bhagi (Colonel, Indian Army), Sudhir Daryan (Lt. Col. Indian Army), Saikat Chaudhuri (Group Captain, Retd., Indian Air Force), Mrigank Mehrotra (Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Army), Vijay Bhaskar (MD, Kolkata), Vikram Chhibber (Wing commander, Indian Air Force), Vidyasagar Mehta (Lt. Cdr. Indian Navy), Akanksha Kumar (Captain, Indian Army) and Devander Bhatia (Colonel, Indian Army).
The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 1 HD on December 15 from 6:15 am onwards.