Students rush to volunteer for marathon work

The Mumbai marathon is not just an opportunity for people to test their physical fitness or raise money for a cause. For countless students, it provides real-time experience in running a huge event, reports Neha Bhayana.

The Mumbai marathon is not just an opportunity for people to test their physical fitness or raise money for a cause. For countless students, it provides real-time experience in running a huge event.

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About 1,000 students, mostly from event management and media colleges, have volunteered to work for the 2009 marathon.

They will check bags, run water stations, help provide first aid to injured runners, escort celebrities or simply usher people around.

Many, like Pooja Advani (21), are busy ensuring the event gets enough publicity. “I had been learning the theory of event management in class till now. But now I know how events are really handled,” said the student of National Institute of Event Management.

While Advani hopes the experience will help her in her career, many students have volunteered to have some fun and try something different.

St Xavier’s student Tanya Goveas (20), who’s studying political science, also volunteered to work at the media centre for fun. “It’s exciting to help put such a big event together,” she said.