Goa, Feb. 27 -- As the message of the importance of physical fitness spreads in Goa, more runners are taking up the most basic of activities known to man, running. It is not uncommon to see runners in the morning determined to complete the distance set for the day.

Dinesh Heda is a chartered accountant by profession but a runner by passion. He is part of the Club Susegaad Runners, which had centres in Panjim, Vasco, Mapusa, etc and has approximately 70-100 runners per club. He said, "The interest in running is increasing with more events taking place. When the first River Marathon took place in Goa in 2009, we used to have a handful of marathoners but now we have around 100-150 full marathoners in the state. I am 55 now and I can say tha...