A Flat Tyre at 2.30AM. Rain. 32,000 Runners. And a Live Television Debut.
A bunch of stories from the 15th edition of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon where I did something new, learnt of many stories, witnessed sportive spirit, sacrifice and service. The morning of the 15th NMDC Hyderabad Marathon did not begin the way I had planned. It began with a flat tyre. It was dark. It was raining. Every shop was closed. There was not a mechanic in sight. And I had somewhere to be. So I made a rather questionable decision. Keep driving. And I thought to myself " Let's get there on time. We will figure out the tyre later. " The bigger worry, honestly, was the rain. Thirty-two thousand runners were counting on reasonable weather. We were all quietly hoping the rain gods would show some mercy. And somehow, they did. Just before race time, the rain stopped. A lovely breeze came in. The skies turned a perfect shade of cloudy grey. Perfect running weather. Inside the studio, however, the butterflies had only just begun. A very different kind of hosting For fou...