08/10/2013
Wynberg Allen alumni runs 125-km marathon in honour of his school
Tribune News service
Mussoorie, October 7
Even the inclement weather could not deter Rajat Chauhan, former student of Wynberg Allen School, to embark on his 125 km marathon race in honour of the alma mater that has given him quality education. He has undertaken the race to mark the 125 years of the school's existence.
Rajat Chauhan began his race at around 5 am from the school grounds today. The race was flagged off by the Principal of the school, Leslie Tindale, and the sports instructor of the school Champa ran along with Rajat Chauhan to a certain distance.
Several past students also joined him en-route in order to motivate him during his 125 km run. Rajat Chauhan passed through several friendly schools in Mussoorie during his run.
The race began from Allen School to Raipur via Barlowganj, Jharipani, Kolukhet, Kuthal gate and Orchid Restaurant at Rajpur and then back to Jaypee Hotel through the same route.
After a brief lunch period the race began again from Barlowganj to zero point at Kempty road via Kingcraig, Library Chowk, Waverly Convent, CST, Mussoorie International School and to zero point.
Rajat Chauhan will complete the race on October 8 by taking 125 km laps of the school ground to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the school.
Rajat Chauhan is an ultra-marathon runner and a sports-exercise and musculo-skeletal physician. He is the founder of the Back-2-Fitness chain of clinics that focus on getting people back to fitness and helping them perform physical activities at their optimum levels.
He considers the Himalayas as his second home, as he has spent more than a decade in these mountains organising several marathon events.
Speaking to The Tribune today he said: ''I was destined to be at Wynberg Allen and do all things that other kids did as well. But it was then choice to carry on with those learnings for life. I decided to carry on as most fellow students were forced to run, but soon enough it became a part of my life.
It was Champa, the sports teacher, who would almost cane you while running if you were coming last on your morning run. That made me run quicker and soon enough I realised that every fortnight, the top six finishers would win a Froosh drink (an equivalent of Maaza mango drink). So I would run to come sixth. Why put in the extra effort for the same prize?''
Chauhan left the school after the centenary year (1988) and realised that he was a far better runner than someone who should be content with just the sixth position.
The very first half marathon (21 km) he participated in clocked a time of 1hr 29 min at the age of 16. Following that he ran Delhi University half marathon in 1hr 18 min when at the age of 17.
''I wanted to marry my profession and passion, so I ended up doing sports-exercise medicine from Nottingham University. Here my immediate tutor was Peter L Gregory, then Chief Medical Officer of England and Wales Cricket Board. He told me something amazing. ''Don't be shy and apologetic for being very good,'' said Chauhan.
The sports instructor, Wynberg Allen School, Champa, speaking about the efforts of the former students said that it is indeed pleasing to see someone excel in the field of sports and that, too, marathon. Champa further said that he had always believed that the sporting activity pursued in school also helped them improve their scores in academics. Champa himself a Wynberg student, after completing his degree in sports, decided to come back and teach the students in the school and continues to do so even now.
