Pune boy Ramu to make comeback at HK marathon

Pune, February 17: The anxiety over aggravating a career-threatening knee injury two years ago had given K C Ramu the sort of fear nightmares are made of. They spare no athlete, but injuries can do wonky things to the mind. Kennedy Chinna Ramu started dreading the final sprint stage of a marathon-training session, always wary of the muscle-snapping sound. Heading to Hong Kong for the city’s annual marathon — also a last-gasp possibility of an Olympics berth — the 30-year-old will again agonise over the final five-km stretch, traditionally the route’s most challenging feature in pursuit of that qualification mark. Only, this time Ramu’s experience from last year means his preparation is better off.

“I ran there in 2007, but I struggled on the last five kms then due to cold winds and the up and down route. I’ve worked on it — both physically and psychologically, and have my fingers crossed,” Ramu says, hopeful that the pressure of the event will in fact spur him on. “If I can get it in the range of 2:20-2:21, the last acceleration will certainly happen,” he adds. With a personal best of 2:19 achieved at Chandimandi four years ago, Ramu will still have to take a bigger final stride and slash a minute from that to make the required mark.

India’s official entry for the Greatest Race On Earth, Ramu will be the sole countryman running (along with the women’s entrant Reena Das), and says he will miss striding off with a familiar bunch, so crucial tactically in marathons. “It’s better in home conditions, with home crowd and the comfort of running with Indian peers, but I’ll manage it,” Ramu adds.

The Bangalorean has prepared for Hong Kong, taking to the hilly terrain of Ooty and Ranikhet in Uttaranchal, and has set himself the realistic target of keeping pace with the second-2:17 bunch.

A surprise winner at Bangalore in 2004 where he had pipped an Ethiopian field, Ramu is hinging his running future on this meet — a grim battle to be fought against opponents and a tiring-self in a foreign land. “I know this one run can change my future if the Olympic qualification comes through, and I’ve prepared well for it,” he says, adding how an effective rehabilitation after injury meant he needed to skip a few marathons.

A starter in the 42-km race at 25, the Army Corps signalman based out of Army Sports Institute, Pune, Ramu is known to be a mentally tough runner, his resolve strengthened further after the injury setback.

A few years ago, Ramu had pitched in to lead the home challenge at the Pune Marathon after another Services runner Surinder Kumar was indisposed. Ramu was battle-ready within a fortnight. This time with the focus squarely on him, the unfancied runner hopes he can send back good tidings from Hong Kong. The signal corps is known for its effective functioning — they operate in disciplined, yet silent fashion.

Once past the buzzing Hong Kong airport, Ramu hopes the low key, no fanfare meet for the Indian, can fetch him a once in a lifetime ticket to Beijing for the biggest event in seven months’ time.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Pune-boy-Ramu-to-make-comeback-at-HK-marathon/274071/