PONDA: Age is just a number. This was proved by noted neurosurgeon 84-year-old Dr Premanand Ramani from Wadi-Talaulim, Ponda, after successfully covering a distance of 21-km at the Goa Marathon on Sunday.
After completing the marathon, the octogenarian said he feels good and expressed full confidence that will participate in the Goa Marathon next year too.
Sharing his fitness mantra, he called upon the participants to never give up, keep running, exercise regularly in the morning to stay fit and healthy, in body and mind.
He also urged the youth to avoid consuming unhealthy food to lead a healthy life.
He said today’s youth are consuming junk food and drinks. It is the responsibility of parents to guide and train them properly. If parents themselves indulged in such things then this will have harmful effects on the young generation.
“So the message for such youth is that besides studies, they should always exercise. Running is very good for the body and mind. Once should accompany running with a proper diet. I will turn 85 next Monday. At 80, I completed 100th marathon and today I am running for pleasure. My inner voice often tells me to go and run,” Dr Ramani added.
Earlier, hundreds of youth, children and senior citizens took part in the Marathon which was held for different age groups. The marathon was organised for different age groups for distances of 3-km, 5-km, 10-km and 21-km
The marathon commenced from Bhausaheb Bandodkar Ground, Bandora and ended at the same spot.