Morning walkers to compete in walk race on October 2

Sportspersons always remain active even when they are off the field. About five years ago, one such veteran cricketer Neeru Kapoor chose to start a walking club at Lohia Park in Chowk with a handful of people.

With the number of walkers in the club growing with every passing day, the activities of the club have become a lifeline for many, especially for those who are above 50 years of age and suffering from diseases like diabetes, and heart and kidney ailments.

Besides medicines and precautionary measures, the habit of morning walk has helped a number of people follow a good routine life and they have been enjoying their old days in Chowk style, where the day starts with ‘jalebi’ and ‘kachori’ and ends with ‘lassi’ and ‘thandai’ in the evening.

With the concept of encouragement and rewards to morning walkers, the club started an annual race and it helped the elderly to compete against each other and win handsome prizes.

Come October 2, and all 195 members, including women, will again be seen in action in the walk race at 7 am at the Lohia Park in Chowk.

To cheer them, a huge gathering of young people will also be there. Anyone can join them in the event which not only promises to be a big entertainment but also a way to live long by remaining healthy.

“Competition among the walkers wasn’t the idea initially but after some time there was a feeling of checking own strength and stamina so from there this idea of racing came,” says Neeru Kapoor, 75, a former Ranji Trophy cricketer and deputy director, sports.

LN Kapoor, 85, who would also be the part of this race on October 2, sponsored the race in memory of his wife Pushpa Tandon. Former cricketers like Rakesh Kapoor, Virad Kapoor, Sharad Kapoor, Goldie Rastogi and Amiy Kapoor are the force behind the successful conduct of races in the last four years.

This time, there will be eight different groups of walkers in the race which include participants in the age group of 30 to 70 in women’s category and 40 to 70 in men’s section.

Individuals in both the categories, aged above 80 years, will be given special prizes if they make it to the race. “We are hopeful of seeing many walkers above 80 years of age this time. If they make it to the event, they will be given special prizes,” said Kapoor.

File photo of last year’s walk race.