The Endurers: a growing tribe

Pakuo Vemai *

'The Endurers' is a running group in Delhi : The Endurers posing with their medals at the Dwarka Half marathon on 1st of September 2019

“The Endurers” is a running group in Delhi with members coming from all across the country from different walks of life such as professors, doctors, nurses, civil servants, students, writers, professionals from the private sector, research scholars, military personnel, pastors, entrepreneurs, home makers and more.

Without purpose, every endeavor is meaningless. Knowing this full well, “The Endurers” are not just blindly trying to keep up with the times. What we do springs from a profound realization that our body has been gifted to us by God for proper stewardship.

And as good stewards we keep the body strong through a healthy lifestyle that includes proper exercise, rest, diet and recreation, which eventually makes us more efficient and productive at whatever tasks we deal with. This holistic outlook towards fitness is being referred to by the group as “fitnessing”. Through fitnessing, we intend to build a community that finds greater purpose and win life’s battles together.

Running means different things for different people, but all runners are united in their stand that it adds more joy and meaning to life. Running, especially long distance running, is a metaphor of life itself.

The journey is both demanding and exciting, with the powerful urge of quitting that comes all too often. But we keep on, knowing that what lies ahead is worth all the pain we now endure.

It is infact one of the finest ways in mastering the art of “delayed gratification”. At the finish line, we look back with deep satisfaction of a run well endured, and of a life well lived.

“Running along the tracks taught me valuable lessons, every effort big or small adds up to a good finish”.-Martula Lemtur.

“Running keeps me fit and happy”-Khyoubuo Pou

“Running gave me a new life. It enabled me to quit smoking, a habit I picked up during early teenage”-Lalchung Hmar

“Running is a source of joy for me. Apart from the obvious health benefits, it instils discipline, relieves stress and every run gives me a sense of overcoming. I feel I’m enjoying the world in a fuller way. It’s become a part of me and I feel I’ve become a better person because of it.”- Aaron Pamei

“To me running is the ultimate symbol of perseverance and resilience”-Hriinii Pao

“Run-run away from your laziness, Run-run away from your fatigue, Run-run away from your depression & Run to the beautiful and best version of yourself”- Graham Thaovei Duomai

In this highly connected world where ironically a lot of things happen to be more disconnected from each other than ever before, it has become even more crucial to approach things from a holistic perspective, to learn to see how one part can profoundly affect the other.

The ancient Greeks got it a long ago when their philosophers made use of “gym time” to discuss ideas and philosophies. Infact, the gym was the place where they train their bodies in pursuit of moral, physical and intellectual excellence.

They saw the mind and body as integral parts, each complimenting the other. We need to cease dichotomizing our work, family and fitness into vaulted sections. Instead they can all be weaved together into a beautiful symphony.“The Endurers” believe in the same philosophy.

As a logical extension of what we believe in, the Endurers turned out in full force in the recently held Dwarka Half Marathon in Delhi, on 1st of September 2019 .

With around 60 endurers running, we marked our biggest participation as a group in an official race event. We participated in different categories of 5k, 10k, 15k and 21k, with some coming out as podium finishers.

What made this event even more special was the fact that around 30 endurers marked their first ever official run. The drained yet contented look on our comrades’ visages was such a priceless sight to behold.

Our running tribe is growing, and so we now meet in two separate groups every Saturday morning at 6am.

The North Endurers meet usually in Kamla Nehru ridge or Coronation park, whereas the South Endurers meet in Nehru Park, and often join forces to explore exciting routes in the capital together. We take great delight in growing and learning together, and therefore welcome anyone who wants to journey with us.