This year, a Chennai-based running group, is celebrating its first anniversary by “gifting the joy of Dussehra to a girl child”.
Unleash Inner Strength or UNIS, a group of 50-odd runners, has decided to raise money for a cause on the occasion of its anniversary on October 9.
Five and ten km runs will be organized for both beginners and senior runners in the city on the day. And the proceeds collected from the event will be given to Jeevadhanam, an orphanage for underprivileged girl children, via the Satyamurthy Foundation.
UNIS is a group of like-minded individuals who aspire to get out of their comfort zones and eventually move to consistent long distance runs. The group includes a varied mix of people from different age groups and profession.
Viji Swaminathan, founder of UNIS, coaches the group face-to-face twice a week. On the rest of the days, Viji posts workout routines on their WhatsApp group with instructions, through which she also monitors the workout done by the team. Runs are organized for the group every Sunday.
“I started running to reduce my weight, but as I got more in to it I realized that it is not as easy as it seems. I got hooked to it as it challenged me every day," says Preethi, a sales professional who joined the group last January.
She adds, "learning the right technique for running, understanding the importance of breathing while running, the posture, etc. dramatically improved my running pace and distance. My confidence to face anything has improved."
To know more about the group and the October 9 event, go here.