It’s 7:30 AM on January 20th, the starter’s gun fires sending ten thousand runners running! At every mile, volunteers offer water, rock bands play music and cheer specialists yell out encouraging words while the Pacific Ocean serenely provides a backdrop for the struggle of mind over matter that ensues over the last few miles … memories that will remain imprinted in the minds of 13 AID San Diego volunteers who ran as part of the Run For India (RFI) campaign in the Carlsbad Marathon & Half.

A Half Marathon or 13.1 miles sounded inconceivable at first for Arundhati and others who did those rare two miles on occasion. That’s how it began she recounts – a 2-mile “long run” to kick off their training regimen. 4½ months later with dreaded 6am wakeup calls for Saturday training runs, and many nagging and painful injuries to knees and shins that tempted some to hang up their running shoes for good, they are amazed they did it! The strong team spirit amongst the RFI runners helped – pacing each other through long runs, exchanging tips on running, stretching and injury prevention, and supporting those for whom running didn’t come naturally.

Raising funds for a great cause gave them the will to persevere and the donation checks that poured in from supporters, family and friends motivated them. As Jyoti (the only one who ran the full marathon) put it, “I want to run it to give a child the opportunity to shine, to learn fascinating things at school, to be able to dream of becoming an astronaut, a doctor, a leader or whatever he/she wishes, just as I did when I was growing up.”

Pradeep described their marathon experience best when he said, “When you do something for a cause that’s close to your heart and when that contributes to your own personal achievement, it’s something else!”