By the time American runner, Thomas, ‘Tommy’ Grimes, turns 65 in August this year, he would have been one of the few long-distance athletes participating in all the 10 editions of the Rotary Rain Run.
The 10th edition of the Run, which is scheduled to be held in North Goa on July 28, will feature several leading national and international athletes, which includes committed runners like Grimes, who believes that long distance runs like these help make friends and inspire one to stay fit, especially senior citizens.
“Just their (senior citizens) participation is gonna encourage others to join in. Exercise is so important, especially if you’re older. And they’re gonna meet new friends too,” said Grimes, who is a member of the Goa Association of Realtors. Grimes, who runs a real estate company in Goa, moved to the coastal state in 2006 and has stayed put since.
Grimes first participated in the Rotary Rain Run in 2015 to meet new people in Goa. But over the past decade, he has witnessed the evolution of the Rotary Rain Run and growing community support for the annual event. “It’s about building a community of like-minded people in Goa who support these great causes,” he observes. “The event focuses on making women’s healthcare, especially cancer detection, free and accessible to all, and provides an opportunity to make new friends, making it a very positive experience.”
A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Grimes and his wife Lun, who is 50, maintain a daily exercise routine. Their preparation for the run remains consistent each year. “We just do our daily workouts,” he says. Grimes is scheduled to participate in the 10 km run at the Rotary Rain Run 2024 this year. Lun is competing in the five km run.
His fascination with running is infectious, with Grimes now even inspiring and goading his colleagues, like Manisha Vashishth at the Goa Association of Realtors to take part in the event.
“Manisha had never participated in an event like this before and she was really anxious about all the unknowns. She was experiencing a lot of stress. So, I guided her through her preparation. We started with a few slow walks each week to build up her endurance. I also advised her on how to stay hydrated with electrolytes every morning and encouraged her to draw energy from the crowd. I reassured her not to worry about the pace; the important thing was to reach the finish line,” he said, adding that Manisha now regularly participates in such runs, whenever they are held in Goa.
Grimes, a US citizen, is especially thrilled with the increased participation of international athletes for the annual Run held in the monsoons.
“We always encourage everybody locally and even people who just come for a holiday here to participate in the run because it is one of the most fun experiences to have in Goa,” he says. “I’m from America originally and we invite our friends from America and Europe to come. The Rotary Rain Run should have even more international participation. It’s one of the most fun experiences you can have in Goa, and the Rotary ensures every rupee counts for charity,” he adds.
Speaking about the Rotary Rain Run 2024 and its support to the Rotary Club of Porvorim (RCP)’s Prakash Cancer Aid Project, which focuses on free cancer detection, Grimes said charity efforts have been streamlined well by the Club in a way that every rupee donated to it is accounted for.
Senior citizens play a crucial role in the success and spirit of the Rotary Rain Run, he says, adding that their sheer participation in such events encourages others to keep in shape. “Their participation encourages others to exercise and meet new friends,” he emphasises.
