Sneha Run tomorrow

A bunch of Chennai Runners are participating in the Sneha Run tomorrow. Last time, I remember participating in a run organized by Sneha in Anna Nagar. Now I am glad to see they have moved closer to my neck of woods in South Chennai. Sneha is an NGO helping people who are in distresss and are suicidal. I am glad to see 25+ Chennai Runners participating and doing our bit for the cause.

I have a gripe..
Tomorrow's run is only a 6 km run, but Sneha is calling it a mini Marathon. I don't know why, but there is a fixation to call any and all runs some kind of marathon. Few months back TNEB conducted 12 km run and they also called it a marathon. I have seen even 3 km runs being called marathon.

People who have run full marathons or even half know the effort involved in running 42.195 kms. So, it feels funny when folks call any and all runs as marathons. I feel it kind of degenerates marathon. So, dear run organizers will you please desist from misusing the term marathon and term your runs appropriately?

More details on the Sneha Run (From Sneha)
From: Sneha Foundation < office@snehaindia.org>
Date: Aug 31, 2007 3:38 PM
Subject: Sneha organizes a mini marathon to mark World Suicide Prevention Day
To: contactus@chennairunners.com

We, at Sneha , would be very grateful if you could inform your readers of our awareness run

Shanti

Director

Sneha organizes a mini marathon to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

SNEHA is a suicide prevention organization started in 1986 and offers emotional support for the depressed, desperate and the suicidal. SNEHA offers unconditional and uncritical support by empathic listening. SNEHA is open round the clock on telephone and from 8 am to 10 pm for visits on all 365 days and the services are totally free. Total confidentiality and anonymity is assured.

Each year approximately 10 lakh people commit suicide around the world. Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly among younger people (WHO 2003). In India every 5 minutes a person commits suicide, 7 attempts to kill themselves and mind boggling numbers feel depressed and unable to cope.

The 10^th of September is observed as WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) of which SNEHA is a member, in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has designated the day as a way of focusing attention on the problem worldwide.

To mark WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY, SNEHA is organizing a Mini Marathon on 9^th September 07 covering a distance of 6 Km to create more awareness of suicide prevention among the public. At least 1000 runners are expected to take part. The runners are divided into 9 categories

Girls 13 - 17 boys 13 - 17

Women 18 - 35 men 18 - 35

Women 36 - 50 men 36 - 50

Women 51 and above men 51 and above

Best Fancy Dress

Attractive prizes are being offered to the winners

Venue : Abacus Montessori School, Besant Road, Adyar, Chennai 20

Time: 7.30 am flag off

Registrations: Opens on 1^st September 07. T Shirts and running numbers can be picked up from Sneha between 10 am and 4 pm, at Kadambam T 22, Opp Velankani Church, Besant Nagar and at Venue on 8^th between 2 pm and 6 pm

Entry fee: Rs.100/- for which a t shirt, running number, goody bag etc are given free

All participants are requested to assemble by 6.30 am

Ms Kanimozhi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha has kindly consented to flag off the event.

If you are unable to run sponsor underprivileged children at Rs.100/- per child

For further information you can call SNEHA at 2464 0050 or 2464 0060 or can come in person to No.11 Park View Road, R A Puram, Chennai 28 between 8 am and 10 pm all days of the week or e-mail us at admin@snehaindia.org

Let's join hands in reaching out to the suicidal by spreading the awareness of suicide prevention and the services offered by SNEHA