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Friday, January 11, 2008

Muthu Marathon 2008

Salem Road Map


Wow what a great run it was! My second Half Marathon and that too within one month of the first one. I am talking about the 'Muthu Marathon 2008' conducted by Konganapuram Sports club on Sunday Jan 6th. Konganapuram is a beautiful village in Salem district.

I left Bangalore on Saturday Jan 5th by train for SankiDurg (a place around 12 KM from Konganapur). I boarded Ernakulam Intercity train at 6:30am from Cantt railway station and reached the Sankidurg station at 11:00 am.
My Journey
The journey was good and the places which I saw along were amazing, I was convinced that I am going to have a nice time.

Sankidurg Railway station


I had my lunch at a small hotel in Sankidurg.
I reached the AGN School, Kongapuram at around 12:30 pm- I was going to spend my night here.


AGN School


I got a nice and warm reception. I came to know this run from Nitin, we met at the school for the first time. He is a fabulous guy and it was great meeting him, very enthusiast. He had come there with his family.
Me getting ready for RUN
Next day morning, we left the AGN school at around 6:30am for the starting point of the Marathon.

Participants
view of starting point

The starting point was Vaikuntham [Seliamman Temple] (about 20KM south of Salem on Salem->Coimbatore road) and the finishing point was KAN Govt School [on SH86 road - Sankagiri to Edappidi road].


The route map



The race started at around 8:15am. The track was through a number of villages and mostly on asphalted roads. The people were so friendly, they used to serve us with lemon water on the way and it was just amazing to see their excitement.
Whhattte View


The climated was warm and running through hilly places is not easy but the two things which kept me running was, the beauty of the place- it was so greeeen and simply superb and the warmth of the villagers- they served us with water on the way which kept my body hydrated and me legs moving. Finally I reached the KAN school the finishing point. It took me about 2hrs and 17min to complete. It was no doubt a fantastic run and I am glad I participated. I hope to return next year as well. The organisers and volunteers were amazing. Everything was great.
Prize distribution (man in yellow t-shirt is the winner)
At around 11am there was a small function at the KAN school. People talked and thanked the sponsors, prizes were given to the winner. I dont remember the winner's name but he was from a neighbouring village. I left the school after my lunch which was marvellous like everything else. I took the same train on return and reached Cantt station at around 9:30pm. Over all it was a great trip and one of my best weekend.
Waiting for the train- way back to Bangalore

Monday, January 7, 2008

India in Australia 2008



There are lot of emails floating around after II test match between India and Australia. I have compiled a few of them here-






After watching the 2nd test match, some rules have been incorporated by ICC to give the other teams a perfect clarification


(1) Ricky Ponting - (THE TRULY GENUINE CRICKETER OF THE CRICKET ERA AND WHOSE INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE DOUBTED) should be considered as the FOURTH UMPIRE. As per the new rules, FOURTH UMPIRE decision is final and will over ride any decisions taken by any other umpires. ON-FIELD umpires can seek the assistance of RICKY PONTING even if he is not on the field. This rule is to be made, so that every team should understand the importance of the FOURTH UMPIRE.


(2) While AUSTRALIAN TEAM is bowling, If the ball flies anywhere close to the AUSTRALIAN FIELDER(WITHIN 5 metre distance), the batsman is to be considered OUT irrelevant of whether the catch was taken cleanly or grassed. Any decision for further clarification should be seeked from the FOURTH UMPIRE. This is made to ensure that the cricket is played with SPORTIVE SPIRIT by all the teams.


(3) While BATTING, AUSTRALIAN players will wait for the ON-FIELD UMPIRE decisions only (even if the catch goes to the FIFTH SLIP as the ball might not have touched the bat). Each AUSTRALIAN batsman has to be out FOUR TIMES (minimum) before he can return to the pavilion. In case of THE CRICKETER WITH INTEGRITY, this can be higher.


( 4 ) All AUSTRALIAN players are eligible to keep commenting about all players on the field and the OPPONENT TEAM should never comment as they will be spoiling the spirit of the AUSTRALIAN team. Any comments made in any other language are to be considered as RACISM only.


( 5 ) MATCH REFREE decisions will be taken purely on the AUSTRALIAN TEAM advice only. Player views from the other teams decisions will not be considered for hearing. MATCH REFREES are to be given huge bonus if this rule is implemented.


( 6 ) NO VISITING TEAM should plan to win in AUSTRALIA. This is to ensure that the sportive spirit of CRICKET is maintained.


( 7 ) THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: If any bowler gets RICKY PONTING - "THE UNDISPUTED CRICKETER WITH INTEGTIRY IN THE GAME OF CRICKET" more than twice in a series, he will be banned for the REST OF THE SERIES. This is to ensure that the best batsman/Captain will be played to break records and create history in the game of CRICKET. These rules will clarify better to the all the teams VISITING AUSTRALIA.
















India's 3rd Test against Australia begins at Perthon 16th Jan'2008. Can someone find a pair of eyes for this blind man before that ???







Nice article here if you love cricket: http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/robertcraddock/