Jain Spirit 2004 10 No 20

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 19

London Marathon 2004: Large Increase in Indian Runners
This is the beauty of long distance running eat what you like, but burn it off on your runs.
The British Indians' craze for marathon running truly took hold this year with a huge increase in the number of participants for the Flora London Marathon on 18 April.
There was real camaraderie amongst the runners with regular exchange of experiences on training techniques, physical and mental preparation and encouragement to go the extra mile. This team spirit led them to cover distances up to 24 miles, and running in snow in February. This is one of the most beautiful experiences none of the runners are going to forget. Since the London Marathon is held in spring, the preparation has to be done in the cold winter months. However, for these hardy runners Sunday morning meant meeting their fellow runners in Stanmore at 6:15am for their endurance practice runs, come rain, shine, wind, frost or
snow.
A sizeable group, many doing the marathon for the first time, was lead by Piyush Gudka, veteran of major marathons on each continent in under 11 months and numerous London Marathons. Piyush says: "This is the first year we have managed to enlist 17 participants, 13 of whom trained together every Sunday." Running a marathon involves motivation of mind, body and spirit, and every runner has a truly moving story behind his/her decision to participate in the London Marathon.
Ask these runners about their diet and nobody will say that they really cut out any of their favourite foods - be it chevdo, ladoos, jalebis, delicious cheese cakes, donuts, chocolates, etc. In fact, the runner's normal vegetarian diet of rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, cereals, lentils, fruit and vegetables, all rich in carbohydrates and proteins, is ideal fuel for the gruelling 26.2 miles.
This year's marathon was cold, wet and windy, making it one of the toughest. However, this was not going to dampen the spirit of our resilient runners. They battled through whatever the elements could offer and the team of 13 runners finished with the fastest in 3 hours 42 minutes and the slowest in 5 hours 41 minutes. Considering the
New Young Jains Group in Singapore
Young Jains really are everywhere and it seems they are all making their presence known. Sunday, 19 April 2004 marked another milestone for the Singapore Jain Religious Society (SJRS), when they launched the Young Jains of Singapore (YJS). This new initiative drew an initial enthusiatic group of 42 Jain youths (which has since evolved to over 70) in Singapore, between the ages of 13 to 25.
They are presently circulating newsletters and plan future events such as fun fairs and fundraising in their community. The group have high hopes and wish to "foster and strengthen the local Jain Youth Group and to experience Jainism the fun way." Sounds good to us. Good luck to Young Jains Singapore!
For more info email: yjs@sjrs.org.sg
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Oshwal Marathon runners 2004 weather conditions, the runners performance was really admirable. Moreover, all the runners were collecting money for their favourite charitiesShishukunj (Food 4 Children), SEWA International and Get Kids Going.
Talk to any of our superb London Marathon participants and you will hear the words:
"It is an experience of a lifetime - priceless memory to be treasured forever."
Nothing beats doing the Marathon yourself - no talk, no TV, no dreams. Piyush very often says:
"A marathon is a race without race, colour, religion, sex, prejudice, nationality, hate, where everyone starts as an equal, and everyone finishes as a winner.". This is true human spirit.
For more information on the runners, interviews, team activities and training contact Team Leader: Piyush Gudka pgudka@hotmail.com
Richard Gombrich Retires
Richard Gombrich, Boden Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford University since 1976, is retiring from his post at the age of 67. He is one of the world's leading scholars of Sanskrit and Pali texts, as well as Buddhist history and doctrine. Professor Gombrich's tenure has made it possible for Oxford University students to take two papers in Buddhism for the BA in Theology, as well as a Buddhism option in the Masters course. To ensure that the study of Buddhism is kept alive at Oxford - and elsewhere - he has set up the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies (OCBS). This will operate under the umbrella of the Society for the Wider Understanding of the Buddhist Tradition, a registered charity. The Society is appealing for funds and hopes to establish the Centre as a permanent body associated with Oxford University.
Professor Gombrich is a contributor to Jain Spirit and is interested in Jain history and culture, especially the relationship between Jainism and early Buddhism.
The OCBS can be contacted at:
11 Barton Lane, Oxford OX3 9JR. Email: info@ocbs.org