As the Seventh Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon kickstarts tomorrow, The GUIDE gives you a round up of unique people and performances to watch out for
As the Seventh Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon kickstarts tomorrow, The GUIDE gives you a round up of unique people and performances to watch out for
Over the last one year, Master Chief Petty Officer Govind Singh has been training 13 members of the naval band from 9 am to 1 pm, and again 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm every day, for their performance at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon scheduled for this Sunday. They will play popular marching tracks, and around 300 naval officers are expected to participate in the half and full marathon.
They learn to play on job
The band that's been part of the Indian Navy since Independence, is trained to perform at parades and for foreign dignitaries. Singh, who's been with the team for 20 years, learned to play the bass on duty. "Nowadays, people are hired based on their musical proficiency. But in the 1980s, when I joined, we learned music after joining the naval service," he says. 
Band baaja on demand
The band's song line-up includes popular marching songs like the English March, which has existed since the 18th century and is a legacy of British colonialists. Patriotic tracks like Jai Bharati (official song of the Indian Navy), Sare Jahan Se Achcha, Silver Jubilee, Indian Fleet, INS Ganga and INS Vikrant are part of the package too. Some of the songs have been composed by directors of music in the armed forces itself.
INS Ganga was composed by Commander SA Anchees, who was aboard the ship, when the tune was composed. Beneath the Waves is a slow march song that praises the achievements of the Indian Navy's submarine arm.
"We also play popular Bollywood songs on request. Last year, Subhan Allah from Aamir Khan's Fanaa was a hit. This year we have Ya Ali from Gangster," says an excited Singh.
The band will play around 25 songs of between three to five minutes over five hours. Also, watch out for the relay event where two aircrafts will fly in sync with motorcycles over the Bandra-Worli sealink. This is the first time that two women naval officers are participating in the marathon.
At: Below Chowpatty Flyover, Marine Drive on January 17, from 6 am to 11 am. You can watch naval officers at the full length and half-length marathon 7 am onwards.
WATCH OUT FOR
Visually-impaired Kenyan athlete Henry Wanyoike is considered one of the world's fastest runners. He is a paralympic gold medalist and world track champion. He runs with help from guide Joseph Kibunja. "Self-confidence is a big factor that kept me going. If you keep your focus right, then nothing is impossible and you too can become like me," he smiles.
Watch Wanyoike at the half-length marathon from 7 am onwards.
CHEER FOR Twenty children from the SRCC Centre for Child Development, who face physical and learning disabilities and are undergoing therapy.
Cheer for these children at CST from 8.20 am onwards.
Hinduja docs will run to set an example
Practice what you preach is not just a proverb for a team of 11 doctors from PD Hinduja Hospital, who will run the Marathon. Their reasons range from a love of running to supporting a cause and promoting family bonding. Endocrinologist Dr Phulrenu Chauhan (45) has been running the half-marathon for five years. This year, she runs with with her son and daughter. "It's good exercise, and since I am a working mother, it's the perfect way to spend time with my kids. It's a good example to set for patients too."
THE MARATHON TRAINERS
Started in 2005, The Striders provide professional marathon training to working professionals. From 15 people, their client list has swelled to 130, all trained by 5 coaches. Members swear that running in groups is better than running all by yourself. "Once corporates see the weight loss, they are game for it and willing to make small sacrifices like getting up early for practice," says Deepak Londhe, Co-Founder.
Catch members of The Striders at the full and half marathon.u00a0
A spa offers post-marathon pampering
Post your cheering/running session, how about a de-stress massage? Sohum Spa and Wellness Sanctuary has devised a special 90-minute Marathon Massage to soothe sore muscles and increase flexibility. "This massage was designed by our experts for athletic events and concentrates on the back, shoulders and legs," says Manish Jaswal, National Manageru00a0 Spas, Sohum Spa.
At: Sohum Spa and Wellness Sanctuary, Juhu-Vile Parle Sports Club, Plot B10, Vaikunthlal Mehta Road, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (W).Call: 26139603
Celeb Watch
Shobhaa De: Childline India Foundation
Purab Kohli: Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA)
Tara Sharma: Cancer Patient Aid Association
Sanjeev Kapoor:u00a0Forum for Autism
Mana Shetty with kids: Save the Children India
Raju Srivastava: Alert India
John Abraham: Brand ambassador for Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2010.
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