Coastal Road won’t make it easier: TMM race director

The route for this year’s Tata Mumbai Marathon has grabbed plenty of attention thanks to the addition of the picturesque Coastal Road. But while it promises stunning views, elite runners, and anyone chasing a faster timing, may find that it’s not exactly built for speed.For most of the past decade, the TMM route has been in flux, shaped by the longdrawn construction of the Mumbai Metro and the Coastal Road. This year, though, with both finally operational, participants were eagerly waiting to see what the new course would look like.After considerable effort, the organisers secured permission to incorporate the Coastal Road. But race director Hugh Jones told TOI that despite the road’s width and smooth surface, its two inclines, one at Haji Ali and the other on the return leg near Worli, could make the run trickier.“The Coastal Road as a landmark definitely adds to the event considerably, but the two little rises, which are actually quite gradual, mean that it won’t be easier for the runners. Frankly, people don’t come to Mumbai for a personal best time anyway. They come because the marathon has a different character to it and it’s a great run,” he said.Adding to that, this will be the first edition where a major chunk of the race actually unfolds along the coast. It may be a photographer's delight, but from a competitor’s perspective, the open stretch also brings its own twist: high wind speeds that could either push runners forward or make the effort that much tougher, depending on which way they’re headed.Medical servicesThe marathon has a new medical partner this year in Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital. The setup will include 16 medical stations along the route, three medical base camps with six ICU beds each, six mini medical camps, and 25 ACLS ambulances manned by ICU-trained emergency specialists. Additionally, medic bikers carrying AEDs will patrol the route as mobile responders. In all, over 450 medical professionals will be on duty.Aqua Line on boardRunners will on race day will also benefit from early-morning metro services on the newly launched Aqua Line of the Mumbai Metro. Special trains will operate from Aarey Metro Station and Cuffe Parade, carrying participants to key start points — Shitala Devi for the half marathon and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus for the full marathon. Services will start at 3.30am and 4.30am from Aarey JVLR and at 3.30am and 4.50am from Cuffe Parade. Regular services resume at 5.55am.