Prathima's Miles & Milestones

Run into the clouds, Race with the Rain!

The first edition of the run was held on August 10th. The weather ought to be perfect with chilly winds, drizzle now and then, cloudy skies, the gush of air buzzing the ears, and experiencing goosebumps with barely any light! This was in the wee hours of the race day morning at around 4:00 am. And what was not-so-surprising was the traffic at this hour due to the race.

The Nandi Hills Monsoon Run offered a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take on a challenging uphill course set in the scenic and historic backdrop of Nandi Hills.

Runners pushed themselves along winding, misty bends that climbed steadily into the clouds. The cool monsoon breeze, the lush greenery, and — on days when the rain gods obliged — a refreshing downpour elevated the entire experience.

As Bengaluru’s most loved weekend getaway, Nandi Hills provided the perfect stage for this unforgettable run, blending endurance with the beauty of nature.

The vibes were infectious. We did the warmups twice to keep ourselves warm via the body heat. There were energetic Zumba moves by a trainer with loud music ending with a great Kannada song — haadu santhoshak,e which was the cherry on top for us, localites.

Run Green, Live Green 🌱

The Run Green, Live Green event brought together a community that celebrated environmental sustainability while promoting healthier lifestyles. It was more than just a run — it was a movement to raise awareness about protecting our planet and embracing eco-friendly practices.

What made this run unique?

1. Eco-friendly course → The route was designed to minimise waste while incorporating energy-efficient practices throughout the event.
2. Green initiatives → No single-use plastics were distributed. Instead, water was served in reusable tumblers, and participants were encouraged to Bring Their Own Bottle (BYOB) to refill at stations along the course.
3. Reducing carbon footprint → Many participants chose to carpool, use community transport, or arrive in EVs, cutting down on fuel use and emissions.
4. Green Warrior incentives → Those who opted for BYOB or sustainable transport received a 10% Green Warrior discount, rewarding their commitment to the cause.

A collective impact
 The event successfully united runners who cared about both fitness and the future of the planet — proving that every step taken together could inspire change. 🌍💚

Start line — On your mark, get set, go! 
As the race started, it felt great. 100% energy & efforts. Young & old, every single person was galloping towards the curves of the roads. The dogs were confused to witness what was happening! They were monkeys as we proceeded post-5k. We didn’t go close, & luckily had no food in our hands. Safety comes first.

The view was misty & spectacular, as from a distance we could not see if there were humans ahead! Our dresses were soaked. Fingers were numb. It was a thick mist, and we were among the clouds, literally. The uphills were very challenging. The best part was that there we no Pacers, but Boosters all around the tough sections of elevation so that runners do not stop to walk. They were fun with poles in their hands & pacing, motivating each one of us for a certain distance, such that we are back in the rhythm to continue. That was very kind of these volunteers. The aid stations had the chikkis, fastandup, water, & biscuits, well stocked at every 2km of the course. There was around 450 mts elevation. We passed the arch & moved ahead till the Tippu drop, completed the entire circle around the hills & headed downhill.

Downhill was easy breezy! Yet, the downhills are tricky & one needs to be cautious rather than being excited for the easy sections, as a slight negligence can cause the ankle twist in the hilly sections, curvy roads. We bid bye to every volunteer in the aid stations on our way back, as it was definitely not an easy task to stand in this weather & yet cheer for the runners. After completing 12–14 km, the body was drained of energy. It did not feel easy on the downhill anymore. I had to pause to walk for a certain distance to catch my breath, get back to my normal heart rate on my watch and then I started jogging slowly. The run teaches a lot — patience, perseverance, the grit to trust that the visualised finish line is just ahead of us. The curve numbers were decreasing & yet I was getting impatient. Watching other runners, I motivated myself & took one step at a time. The finish line was close to my sight & my heart skipped a beat. Gave it my all & crossed it. All’s well that ends.

“Lace up. Soak in the monsoon. Make it count” was the theme witnessed by every single runner in the race. Like they said — You can take a Bangalorean out of the city, yet they will either end up in Nandi hills or Chamundi hills 🙂

Hi, I’m Prathima 😊. I write about mindful living, running🏃‍♀️, cooking🍳, and turning everyday routines into moments of happiness ✨.

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