Neerja, a 24-year-old financial analyst at the KPMG was in England for the last two years studying at the London School of Economics when she heard about Mumbai Marathon and suddenly saw it getting bigger and better with people from all walks of life joining in the running mania. “I had decided at that moment itself that when I return to India, I would surely take part in the half-marathon and be a part of this movement,” Neerja says.

The reaction of her peers was on expected lines. “Have you decided to run for all of us?” they asked a sarcastically.

Neerja, however, is upbeat about going the distance. And the secret of her confidence is a three-month long training stint organised by a fitness chain Talwalkars that she has been undergoing at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. The course has been designed to help ordinary people prepare in a proper way.

“Our main aim is to prepare ordinary people to run in the right way without getting the injuries that are usually associated with the enthusiastic first-timers,” says Ramesh Parmar, a trainer from Talwalkars.

Reserve Bank employee Shashi Menon (47) is part of a group of 30-odd people who assemble at the Race Course for training early in the morning when it is still very dark. “I had decided to take part in the Dream Run last year but fearing the big crowd, I switched to the full-marathon. I ran at least 26-km before collapsing near Mahim Church,” said Menon. “Then this year I came to know about this training programme and had decided to get proper training. Now I’m running the half-marathon this year and I’m sure I can complete the 21-km distance,” added the Mumbai Central resident.

Amalsadvala Meheli, a 68-year-old ex-banker, has been running in half-marathon for the last four years and was ranked 33rd in the under-55 category last year. He wants to improve his standing. “I was running without any training all these years. This year I decided to enroll here so I can improve my performance,” he says.

The three-month-long training has not only prepared these enthusiasts for the Sunday event, it has also changed their lives. “I was mad about continental dishes but now on the trainer’s instruction, I have switched over to dal, roti, sabzi and dahi which has made even my family happy,” says Neerja. “I have also decided to give up outside food completely,” says the youngster.

“I was a late riser, but getting up at 5 am for this training has changed my daily routine,” says Menon.