How to organize a marathon

How To Organize A Marathon? Learn From The Best.
Dr. Ramani Goa Marathon – Story of Dr. Ramani from a runner to a
marathon organizer
About Dr. P.S. Ramani
Dr. P.S. Ramani is a Senior Consultant Neuro-spinal surgeon at Lilavati
Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He retired as
Professor and Head, Department of Neuro and Spinal Surgery, Lokmanya Tilak
Municipal (LTM) Medical College and Hospital University of Mumbai.
He dedicated the last 45 years of his life to the development of Spinal Surgery
in India. His milestone contributions include setting up an up-to-date
Neurosurgery Department at the LTM Hospital in Mumbai, and the first Bone
Bank in the country.

POSITIONS HELD BY DR. RAMANI:
1. Founder and Past President, Neuro Spinal Surgeons’ Association of India;
2. Past Chairman World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies – Spine
Committee;
3. Past Editor-in-Chief, Indian Edition of American Journal – Spine,
4. Founder and Past Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Spinal Surgery.
MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS:
1. He has several breakthroughs in surgical techniques which have helped to
minimize the perception of pain and suffering till then associated with
neurosurgery.
2. He has published several textbooks in spinal surgery including Textbook of
Spinal Surgery. His books for the common man such as Standing Tall (his
autobiography), Stop Worrying about Backache, Doctors and Patients,
Common Surgeries, Pain in Your Neck, Knowledge of Brain, etc. are read
with extreme interest and received accolades and appreciations.
3. He has established School for Training Neuro and Orthopedic Surgeons in
Spinal Surgery and has trained more than 4,000 surgeons in spinal surgery.
4. Neurosurgeons celebrate his birthday on 30th November as Neuro-spinal
Day all over India and many other countries.

Though he is settled in Mumbai and has helped hundreds of poor patients in the
city, he has initiated a wide range of activities in Goa, his birthplace. Dr.
Ramani has held free medical camps in Goa for the last four decades and
continues to do so. He has established Dr. P.S. Ramani Medical Foundation and
Smt Ahilyabai Ramani Pratishthan. The purpose of the Pratishthan is to help the
local people along with people from neighboring villages in Goa.
He is passionate about jogging which he religiously adheres to. At the age of 81,
he maintains good health and regularly runs marathons. At the age of 79 years,
he was declared oldest runner in half marathon category in the Mumbai
Marathon held on 15th January 2017.
Dr. Ramani Goa Marathon
“To achieve good health, walk, jog, run,” has been the motto of Dr. Ramani.
Therefore, he started an Annual Marathon event in the village of Wadi.
In the first year, a short distance of 10 Km was started. The enthusiasm of the
participants was boundless. A 500-plus crowd gathered very early in the
morning when it was pitch dark, to participate in the event. There was no
registration fees. Furthermore, all the runners were provided with caps and T-
shirts. Cash prizes were also distributed to the top runners.
Appreciating this enthusiasm, Dr. Ramani now holds an open race for half
Marathon (21Km+). Around 1000 people participate in the event. There are

several smaller races like 10 km, 5 km Dream Run, Children’s marathon, Senior
Citizens 3 km marathon (especially for inmates of Sneh Mandir of Goa Hindu
Association) but the Half Marathon is most popular and draws the attention of
Navy, Air Force, Fire Brigade, Police and Home guards and professional
runners. Besides, even runners from foreign countries like Kenya, Nigeria,
Europe, Asia, etc. participate in the event. To make it more professional,
electronic chip timing machinery and number BIB has been introduced resulting
in early registration and introduction of a token fee.
The prize distribution function in the past has been graced by Chief Ministers
and Senior Ministers of Goa. The event has become a mind-boggling
experience. Dr. Ramani himself runs the Half Marathon in good time.
Register for the 18th edition of Dr. Ramani Goa Marathon on 3rd
November 2019.
Let’s hear in his own words on how did he organize this marathon for 18 years
and motivate numerous people to take up running.
1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START RUNNING AND WHAT KEEPS
YOU MOTIVATED TO DO IT EVERY DAY?
Everything in life needs a motivation to get one involved in any activity, and
this immediately links one to goal setting. In today’s world, there is no other
goal which is better than – maintaining good health, losing weight, reducing risk
of heart problems, improving fitness and general well being, and lastly the
enjoyment associated with the sport of running. With these goals in mind, I
started running myself and started enjoying it. This was also linked to the fact
that I used to walk 10 km up and down to school every day, it never made me
feel tired as I had accepted the ordeal as a routine of life.
Every day, I find out I have worked more than yesterday! A disciplined lifestyle
and my jogging and trekking escapades keep me healthy. If one’s determination
is strong and is prepared to work with dedication one can conquer the mountain.
Never say die.

2. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE CONCEPT OF THE
MARATHON AND WHAT SEPARATES YOUR EVENT FROM OTHER
MARATHON EVENTS?
Health (Mental and physical), keeping fit and energetic, and social rapport, are
very important for anyone’s personal happiness. I promote marathons as I want
the younger generation to move away from their technology and social media
and get outdoors to engage in physical activity. One of the reasons I started Dr.
P. S. Ramani Goa Marathon was to promote healthy living and encourage a
healthy lifestyle.
This is not a commercial event but a social event meant to promote health and it
is a part of the activity of Smt. Ahilyabai Ramani Pratishthan, an NGO based in
Ponda, Goa, to promote several activities which are beneficial to the society.
The marathon is one such activity. Most other marathons are commercial
events.
3. YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING ONE OF THE
BIGGEST RUNNING EVENTS IN GOA. ACCORDING TO YOU WHAT
IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF ORGANIZING A
MARATHON AND HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE SAME?
The Goan society as a whole is not exposed to social organizational projects
like a marathon on a big scale. It takes a lot of effort to make society understand

and cooperate. Most people are not convinced by the idea of jogging and
running. Earlier, International runners pass in front of the local houses but the
locals do not seem interested or encouraging.
However, with persistent and dedicated efforts, the attitude of people is now
changing. What we have not succeeded in doing so far, is to stimulate people to
come out of their house and cheer the runners as is normal in other countries.
4. YOUR MARATHON HAS CONSISTENTLY SEEN AN AMAZING
TURNOUT OF 1000+ RUNNERS. HOW DO YOU MARKET YOUR
MARATHONS AND WHAT IS THE KEY TO SUCH A GRAND
SUCCESS?
Dedicated, persistent and honest efforts to promote running is the important key
to success. We also never leave any stone unturned and every year we go on
improving and polishing the facilities to make life more comfortable to the
runners. We also promote children to run in this event right from the age of two
and that stimulates the parents and other siblings. It gets the ball rolling.
5. COULD YOU SHARE WITH US AS TO WHAT ALL OUTBOUND
MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND DIGITAL MARKETING
ACTIVITIES YOU HAD TAKEN TO PROMOTE THE MARATHON?

1. We tried to get as many contact numbers of runners and communicate with
them on email.
2. Banners all over Goa. At the same time, billboards in Goa one month before
the marathon.
3. FM radio in Goa. One month before the marathon in three languages:
Konkani, English, and Hindi.
4. Holding two promo runs in two cities. The response is tremendous- over
500.
5. We write letters to all the colleges and schools inviting their participation.
6. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Push
7. Marathon Website
8. Information on Dr. Ramani’s personal website.
9. Listing the event in India Marathon Diary.
10.Holding press conferences and giving interviews to individual papers.
11.Holding talks on TV and radio.
6. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? DO YOU SEE YOUR EVENT
REACHING OUT TO CITIES IN OTHER STATES AS WELL?
It has already reached all over India and abroad. We get a lot of runners from
Maharashtra and several runners from Chandigarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, etc. We had runners running in this
marathon from Switzerland, France, Russia, South America, East African
countries, Indonesia, and Egypt.
Future Plans: We have a proposition to start a full marathon soon. The
organization of Antruz runners of Ponda is cooperating extremely well with our
event so much so that this year, we have given them the responsibility for the
complete organization of marathon.
7. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION
ABOUT MARATHONS OR MARATHON RUNNERS, THAT YOU’D
LIKE TO CLEAR UP?
Anyone irrespective of age or gender can participate in the event. One should
always keep in mind that Fouza Singh in 2011 ran Canada full Marathon at his
own speed at the age of 100 years. The misconception is that people feel they
will get old with ruined knee joints. I advocate “If you run, you will not get
old.”

8. WHAT WERE YOUR KEY GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED
ORGANIZING THE MARATHON AND HOW MANY OF THEM YOU
HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED?
Key Goals:
1. Promote good health
2. Strong mind
3. Good physical body
4. Distraction from unwanted social media
We are satisfied that the message is well taken by society and hope that they
will inculcate this habit of running in their daily life.
9. AS AN AVID RUNNER AND A MARATHON ORGANIZER, WHAT’S
THE MOST MEMORABLE MARATHON TRACK YOU HAVE RUN
ON – AND WHY?
I took part in the Amsterdam Marathon in 2012. It was memorable because it
started and ended at the Olympic stadium. The grandeur of the stadium was
exhilarating.

10. WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR FOCUS WHILE SELECTING A
MARATHON ROUTE?
A runner must enjoy the route. Our route which is selected very thoughtfully,
runs through the city, villages, by the side of the river, into the fields, goes
through a cluster of temples and importantly passes through palm trees. There is
no flat land in Goa. The terrain is gentle upwards and downwards slopes. While
it gives a kick to real marathoners, others find it slightly difficult.

11. WHAT ARE THE FEW THINGS THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM
FOCUS ON TO ENSURE A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR RUNNERS
WHILE ORGANIZING A MARATHON?
1. Entertainment to keep the runners in a jovial mood (We hire DJs, musical
bands, fire show, dances, LED screen)
2. Cash prizes and prize distribution ceremony to motivate runners
3. Plenty of hydration points along with the route- water and energy drinks,
fresh and dry fruits.
4. Goodies, light, napkin at the finish line and a very healthy and sumptuous
breakfast post the race
5. Very good physiotherapy stations.
6. The traffic police guard the route to ensure runners’ safety
7. Other amenities like ample parking space and plenty of escorts/volunteers to
assist the runners.
8. Liaison with a hospital, Medical teams and 2 emergency ambulances along
the route and ground.
9. Credibility with Goa Athletic Association
10.Prompt individual timings.
12. DO YOU HAVE SOME TIPS FOR NEW ORGANIZERS ON HOW
TO SEARCH AND SELECT THE BEST PACERS FOR GIVING THE
BEST EXPERIENCE TO RUNNERS?

I am a member of the biggest running company in Mumbai- the striders. They
have plenty of coaches and they know the selection of pacers. The new
organizers must approach some major events and ask for coaches, talk to them
and they will give a lot of information.
13. WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR
READERS WHO ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ORGANIZING A
MARATHON?
• Irrespective of your age, make running a passion.
• Controlled contact with social media.
• Habit to divert gradually to healthy food.
• Drink plenty of water (at least 2 L per day).
• Join a running group. It gives discipline not only to running but to life
besides enjoying, making fun, and celebrating birthdays in a group early in
the morning before going to college or office. It is a fantastic experience.
• Please get up at least one hour early in the morning.
Thank you Ramani Sir, it was great to have you on Townscript.
This blog was originally published on: https://blog.townscript.com/organize-a-marathon/

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