Come Sunday Achinto Pramanik will once again prove that is age only a number when it comes to stamina and endurance.
The 67-year-old resident of Gamharia in Seraikela-Kharsawan, who has proved his mettle in National Masters Athletics Championships on more than one occasion, will lead a 20-member team to run all the way to Deori temple on the Jamshedpur-Ranchi stretch of NH-33 on Sunday, August 30, to spread awareness on Covid-19.
“We are all fitness enthusiasts, and we have chosen the run to spreading awareness about the coronavirus pandemic and the dos and don’ts that need to be practiced to stay safe,” Pramanik said.
The sexagenarian said the run was being organised by the Gamharia-based Adventure Athletics Group (AAG).
“We thought of organising the relay run at a time when our country is in the grip of a deadly virus. We will distribute masks and pamphlets to people on the way to the temple,” Pramanik, who happens to be the secretary of AAG, said.
The pamphlets, he explained, would mention Covid-19 dos and don’ts, including the need to use sanitisers, wash hands, wear masks, maintain social distancing, avoid crowded places. “We decided to do our bit for an important and relevant cause,” he added.
According to Pramanik, the participants of the event will run on a rotation basis. “We will be heading to Deori temple by pillion riding 10 motorbikes. “A participant will run for 5km while the other would drive the bike and vice-versa,” he said, adding that they would start at 6.30 am.
The AAG has also organised similar runs to Calcutta, Puri, Rajrappa, Dalma hills and Hathikheda temple in East Singhbum to spread awareness about pollution, cleanliness and environment.
Pramanik’s daily fitness regime includes a 20-km run, gym visits, besides trekking the Dalma hills periodically. Running comes to him from within and, except for the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown, Pramanik has seldom skipped running.
He secured first position in the 25-km run under-65 and above age category at the fifth edition of Tata Steel Kolkata 25k run-a-thon in December, 2018. The lanky athlete finished the race in 2:09:15 seconds to walk home with a medal and Rs 20,000 cash prize.
He has also claimed a gold (200m steeplechase), silver (800m) and bronze (1500m) at the national event held in Panjim, Goa in 2015. He also slotted home three golds (200m steeplechase, 800m and 1500m) and a silver (4x400 m relay) at the national meet held in Hyderabad in 2017.
The master athlete runs a grocery shop near his home and lives on a frugal diet. He has missed representing the country in international masters’ athletics competitions for not being able to find a sponsor. Yet, he continues to participate in national events and win medals for Jharkhand.
“It doesn’t matter that I have not represented my country but I will continue to pursue my passion. Besides winning medals in national competitions, I will continue the exercise for a cause. The relay run to Deori temple is also an effort for a cause,” Pramanik said.