Delhi queers to run city marathon

They've got their gear in place: A white T-shirt with a foot in rainbow colours on the back and the logo of Delhi FrontRunners and Walkers printed on the front. Reetika Subramanian reports.

They've got their gear in place: A white T-shirt with a foot in rainbow colours on the back and the logo of Delhi FrontRunners and Walkers printed on the front.

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On Sunday, this group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) sports enthusiasts from the capital, will make their city debut at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

“I am very excited to just be a part of this mega event,” said Nuria Quarol, 31, of Spanish descent, who will be running the half marathon (21 km). “I’ve been participating in the Delhi Marathon for the last two years and have found the half marathon fairly easy,” added Quarol, who has been following a strict high protein and carbohydrate diet for the last one week. “I might just win the marathon,” she added jokingly.

Delhi FrontRunners and Walkers (DFR) is a “running and walking group” that meets once a week at a Delhi park and organises walking tours of Delhi a couple of times in a year. This is the first time that members of the group have chosen to participate outside their comfort zone.

“The Mumbai marathon is our means to reach out a larger group of people across the globe,” said Sumit Baudh, 35, DFR member. “It will offer us the much needed visibility and at the same time help us make friends and test our endurance,” added Baudh, who will be running the full marathon (42 km).

In 2007, the group took to the web (www.delhifrontrunners.org) to promote outdoor activities and healthy living among like — minded people.

Baudh is confident that in next year’s marathon, there will be more DFR.