
306 runners ran barefoot around Kharghar Central Park, near Bombay in western India on the 12th of December 2010. The run of 21.1 km comprised four laps around the expansive Central Park. Organised by the Barefoot Runners of India Foundation (BRIF), over 60 officials - pilots, lap scorers, time keepers, judges and referee closely monitored the race that started at 7 am. The weather, at its very best, helped. Experts monitoring the run had expected the winner to finish at around 1:12 to 1:15 hours But Kamlya Joma Bhagat surprised, homing in at 1:10:03. First runner-up was Tangi Maruti Lalawde (1:10:10) and second was Prakash Shankar Dhasade (1:10:23). There were totally 155 finishers within the 2.5 hours cut off. "The most satisfying thing was that there were no serious injuries, in spite of the boys running barefoot for about two hours," said Anand Anantharaman, Managing Trustee of BRIF, who is himself an international marathoner, having run 12 marathons in various countries. "I was seriously concerned on this count," added Anand, "So I myself ran barefoot with the tail-enders for 3 km, just to know what they undergo. Some of them poured water on their feet to cool down, but otherwise, they were fine. These runners have now convincingly proved to the world that Barefoot is not only possible, but fast and safe too." Two medical ambulances kept in readiness thankfully saved their gas. And doctors on the spot had nothing else to do but cheer the runners. Priyanka Patil, the <b>...</b>
Barefoot
Marathon
Half-marathon
Barefoot Runners
India
foundation
anand anantharaman
race
navi mumbai
kjharghar
306
guinness world record
barefootrunnersindia