Irina Hazarika urges the running community in India to come forward and register for the movement in large numbers.

On a normal day, if you ask a Guwahati resident about barefoot running, they would probably have a perplexed look on their face. Not in the case of Irina Hazarika who has taken part in numerous marathons and completed them barefoot. She is now all set to take part in the Sunfeast India Run As One and has pledged 150kms for the same.

Irina has been an active marathoner since 2015 and has completed the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2017, 2018, 2019 (21 K) and Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018, 2019, 2020 (42.2 K).

Irina who seeks her inspiration from ace long-distance runner Milind Soman says “I first took to barefoot running in 2015 when Milind Soman visited Guwahati to promote one of his events. We had a small conversation about barefoot running and I was completely fascinated by the concept. His story inspired me to take part in many marathons over the course of years, and complete them barefoot.”

Barefoot running is still in its nascent stages in India and people are still trying to get familiar with the concept. The first thing that occurs in our minds when we talk about barefoot running are injuries but Irina perceives barefoot running very differently.

“Barefoot running creates lesser chances of injuries in comparison to running with shoes. I have been running barefoot for the past 5 years and have never felt for a moment that I was vulnerable to any kind of injury. I feel it gives a better grip on the surface and you feel lesser fatigued while running barefoot vis-à-vis running with a sports shoe on,” said Irina.

The Sunfeast India Run As One is centred around three pillars of Community, Social Impact & Wellness. Each registration works towards helping people who have lost their livelihoods due to the COVID 19 pandemic. It can also act as seed money to support skills training and operational set-up.

Irina feels that the Sunfeast India Run As One is a very noble concept and events like these need maximum support from the running community. “I have urged all my friends from across the country to be a part of this very noble initiative. Most of my friends are runners and they all seemed very excited about registering with Sunfeast India Run As One. During the current times of pandemic, even a small support can translate into something big for people who have lost their jobs and are in need of support. This is the time when we as a society must step forward and make our contribution towards uplifting them again,” said the runner.   

To join the initiative, register at a nominal fee of Rs. 99 upwards and participate with an activity of your choice; whether indoors or outdoors. To register log onto: sunfeastindiarunasone.procam.in.