Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Parasports
  • #TataMumbaiMarathon2020 – Blind marathoner Amarjeet Chawla looks forward to 125th run

#TataMumbaiMarathon2020 – Blind marathoner Amarjeet Chawla looks forward to 125th run

Amarjeet Singh Chawla
Parasports January 17, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

This Sunday is Mumbai’s first big event of 2020. That’s the Tata Mumbai Marathon which attracts a large number of disabled participants every year. 2019 saw 1,300 disabled people running at the event. This year too, a large turnout is expected. Making his presence felt is the much-loved Sporty Sikh Amarjeet Singh Chawla, who will be running his 125th half marathon.

The Mumbai Marathon is a must run event for blind marathoner Amarjeet Singh Chawla. This 64-year-old has done 124 half marathons, five ultra-marathons and one intercity super marathon. The Mumbai event is extra special, says the Sporty Sikh, as his admirers call him.

Diagnosed with macular degeneration at 13

“I am a permanent customer at the Mumbai Marathon”, says Chawla with a laugh in his voice. “This is where I started running in 2004 and I have been a regular since then. I make sure that all my landmark runs, like the 101st run, and now the 125th are here in Mumbai. This is my city and my home and that makes it extra special. I will make sure that my 151st run in 2021 will be the Mumbai Marathon too”.

Chawla was diagnosed with macular degeneration at the age of 13. This is one of the leading causes of vision loss. By age 40, he was completely blind. He started becoming active in sports at the age of 48. Chawla is an accomplished swimmer as well and is the only blind person to scale the 19,830-ft Dolma Pass in Tibet.

His co-runner at the Mumbai Marathon is Bindu Magesh. A schoolteacher, Bindu has been running marathons since 2015. She met Chawla at a Pinkathon event last year. Inspired by his energy, she asked if she could run with him. Bindu will be Chawla’s 107th running escort.

Running marathons is my passion and I like to support people who need help during such runs. Running together is like a give and take relationship. He will get my help and I will get his help in improving my pace. I run slower than he does but he agreed to match my pace. He is an accomplished runner and I am honoured to have the opportunity to run with him this Sunday. – Bindu Magesh, Amarjeet Chawla’s running escort

Wants to inspire more disabled people to run

Chawla says that a large part of the attraction in running the Mumbai Marathon is the media coverage. “I love the media attention the Mumbai Marathon gets every year. In other places the coverage is not that extensive, and I like that a lot”. The coverage, he hopes, will encourage more disabled people to take part in such events. “I am told that 18 blind people are running the 2020 Mumbai Marathon and that is the greatest feeling for me. The more they run, the more addicted they will get. I want everyone to feel inspired to take up physical activity”.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read

  • ‘Will keep running’, says blind marathoner Sporty Sikh ahead of 101st run
0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Technology
    Top 5 accessible video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities globally
  • Get-hooked
    Amanda Gordon, first U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, does not see her disability as a weakness
  • Get-hooked,Lifestyle
    Perceptions and misconceptions about disability
  • Education
    Evaluate Me by My Body of Work, Not my Body
  • Accessibility
    Latest Dungeons & Dragons book to feature its first wheelchair accessible dungeon
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    McDonald’s India unveils new EATQUAL packaging specially designed for customers with limited upper hand mobility
  • Accessibility
    Data on Violence Against Disabled Women
  • Coronavirus-news,Technology
    Helpline support for special needs families during COVID
  • Employment
    InReturn Strategies is redefining the way American companies talk about diversity & inclusion

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Amanda Gordon at the inaugural ceremony

Get-hooked

Amanda Gordon, first U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, does not see her disability as a weakness

Accessibility

Data on Violence Against Disabled Women

Accessibility

McDonald’s India unveils new EATQUAL packaging specially designed for customers with limited upper hand mobility

Get-hooked

Perceptions and misconceptions about disability

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Technology

With Inali Arm, developer Prashant Gade aims to change the outlook of people with upper limb disabilities

Get-hooked

Micah, boy with autism tells name for first time & Internet cannot stop adoring the cute video!

Get-hooked

Understanding Socializing Benefits for Children with Autism

Get-hooked

Puppet show for children & adults on World Cerebral Palsy Day aims to sensitise parents about disability

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.