Photo Gallery - Delhi Half Marathon 2009



Our little kitten Aman ready to hit the road to Delhi at 6.30am on Saturday morning,
whilst his sister CAT Amanat kept pressing the snooze button on the alarm :)

 
 
 The running CATS being wished goodbyes and goodlucks by their families,
who were more excited than us... 
It was a moment of pride for each one of us...

 
Teen Billiyiaan waving us off ;-)

 

CATS had a sumptuous breakfast stop at Karnal Haveli on way...
Everyone was diving into each other's plates..
Imagine eating khandvi, dhokla, dosa, sandwich, chana bhatura and gelly beans for breakfast!!!


 
 After reaching Monica's home in Delhi where we were indulged

with lovely home cooked lunch, we rested a while and then did
the recee of the marathon route in the car..
a little bit of sight seeing along the way was mandatory of course...
Saying hello to Our President through the high gates!




 
Marathon Goody Bags piled up for the Daring dozen CATS...

 

CATS getting ready for the marathon...
CAT Monica tying the timing chip on CAT Rajpal's shoes

 
 Can you beat this combination??

Experienced beauty with kiddish charm.. care and respect...
but combined together with one bond of running mixed with love for adventure :)
we left Monica's home by 6.15am to head towards the Marathon venue...


 

CATS looking forward to walk towards the entry gate of the marathon..
Nehru Park, here we come :)


 

7 CATS who stayed at Monica's are far more visible in the photos
as the rest of the 5 had stayed with their family and friends
in and around Delhi... In the mad rush at the venue,
unfortunately they could not meet us at the venue, despite best attempts by all...


 

With the entry gate visible in the photo just behind us...
this photo was taken after going through the security checks and metal detectors...
CAT Rajpal got separated from us at this point as men's queue was


separate and all the felines started shouting,
'Keep an eye on Rajal... Rajpal... make sure you meet us after the metal detectors'


 

The first of the CATS to go towards the 'holding area' for the Senior Citizens Race
which started at 7.10am.


 CAT DV and CAT Nirmal took the honours to raise the CATS flag at the Delhi half Marathon 2009 :)


 
 
I could not help hugging my little kitten and nephew, CAT Aman at the venue...
How many 8yrs old get to run in an event of such magnanimity?
How many 8yrs old have the grit to say yes to everything that comes his/her way?
I was desperately trying to call CAT Rachna as her son CAT Ansh was the other 8yrs old who was running
the same race as CAT Aman...
Both the kittens achieve so much by fighting through their catty friendship!


Blessed are we to have such courageous children in CATS.


 

Super Kitten CAT Aman with Super-Veteran Uma (urmila), who was running 21kms at the age of 53yrs.


Infact, CAT Aman got tired of his cheeks being pinched and kissed for being such a little one to be
running there... a point came when he would hide behind CAT Guneet's legs or go hiding behind the
tents!


CAT Ansh... where are you??!!!!

 

In the meanwhile, half marathon CATS started going through the 'holding area'.

CAT Monica was running despite having a miggling back muscular spasm and had nearly pulled out of the half marathon 4 days previously.. but there she was.. CAT Monica all geared up in professional running gear, courtesy Rakhi gift from her brother :)


 

CAT Rajpal and I walking towards the starting line..
we knew that CAT Riyaal was stil going through the security line up
but could not even get through to CAT Gagandeep..
so here we are, 5 CATS doing 21kms on the day :)


 
 Last picture before we started running...

Monica got separated from us by a few meters around this point...
just before touching the starting line up...

Take note of the faces now... and compare them after the long run!!!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 Our Persistent CAT Rajpal... pride and glory through humility and determination :)

with CAT Supreet after getting their medals...

 
 Tired CATS walking through Nehru Park towards the picnic spot
organised by the running club CAT Monica has been practicing with in Delhi...



 

CATS were lovingly fed by the running club members..
Idlis, paranthas, methi paranthas, paneer, cake galore...
not to mention the fresh fruits and juices.

 

Meow MOMENT 1.. tired CATS posing at Nehru Park before walking
towards the car park and get back to Monica's home to rest our paws


 

Meow MOMENT 2 :)
 

 

Enjoying some catty moments whilst the driver had gone off to drop off
CAT Rachna, CAT Ansh and her brother.

CAT Monica coordinated the deliveries and collections and sustenance
of all the CATS wonderfully well.. Hats off
 

 

While some CATS were scrubbing themselves clean,
others could not resist sprawling wherever they could find a spot!

CAT Guneet thought she was not clean enough to lie down
on the low bedding and spread out on the rug itself.


 

Two considerably injured CATS resting their paws whilst sipping a steaming hot cuppa...
combined with some pain killers and ice packs!!


 
All CATS scrubbed and cleaned enjoying every moment of their success :)

 
 Enjoying a delicious lunch before packing our bags for Chandigarh.

We were treated to a Wine and cheese dinner by our fellow morning walker Hassan from the Leisure Valley upon reaching Chandigarh at 9.30pm. We were greeted with cheers and meows all around.


Can I call it the trip of a lifetime? A dozen CATS went to Delhi only to run to their heart's content?




A Very Proud and Satisfied,
CAT Supreet



2 comments:

Unknown said...

GREAT ADVENTURE !!!

CJ Singh said...

and what fun it was Mr Bhatia... tussi GREAT HO :)