By 8 am, most runners had finished 21 km (which is the traditional half-marathon distance) and started refining their strategy to help them get through the day. Various combinations like running 4 mins and walking 6 mins were touted but it was all about getting through the searing afternoon and then the early evening when energy reserves would be low. C’mon Kiranbhai, go, yeah, chalte raho... were some shouts of encouragement.

The participants were weighed at the beginning and finish of every loop (from Shivaji park to Seaface, turn around at old Mela restaurant) and come running back to Shivaji Park and go around again. The baggage area, bib collection and food counters were all set up next to the Mayor's Bungalow at Shivaji Park and there was a real buzz in the air. The weighing in was done to ascertain how much fluid was lost.