From start to finish

Fitness was not new to Neville J. Bilimoria, the man behind Dawn to Dusk (D2D) Marathon, the third largest event of its kind in Tamil Nadu. A professional rower, it was through rowing that he got into running and cycling.

“I started running in 2010, beginning with 10 km and then going on to run full marathons. Dawn to Dusk started after I did 12 marathons over 12 months and ran in different places across the world. I saw people raising funds through marathons and I thought, why not do the same in India,” he says. D2D is in aid of Bal Sanjeevani, a rehabilitation centre for children affected with cerebral palsy.

From the first edition of Dawn To Dusk in 2012 to the current one, scheduled on January 5, 2014, Neville has been happy, raising funds for a cause. “I believe in giving back to society,” he says. “I believe that if you do something in good faith, things fall into place. What started off small in 2012, this year got 4,500 registrations, thanks to the running groups who have joined in and the D2D team. Shankar Lal Patel (Chennai Runners), Shahul Hameed, (Dream Runners), Peter Van Geit (Founder of Chennai Trekking Club), Durai Murugan (Chennai Trekking Club) and Imran Pasha have been a great team,” he says.

So which has been the most challenging marathon so far? “It was the one I ran at Colombo. I met with an accident while helping a fellow runner. I thought I wouldn’t complete the race. But I made it to the finish line. The most beautiful was definitely the San Francisco marathon,” says Neville, who is an immigration specialist by profession.

“It is a nine-to-five job. I wish I had 10 more hours to do everything. But I take time out and go running in the night to ensure that I don’t miss my runs and also make sure that I get enough rest,” he explains.

A popular face in the running circuit of Chennai, Neville has inspired many people to lace up and hit the road, “even those who haven’t played any sport at all,” he says. “Some of them now go to different places to run marathons. Recently, a friend of mine ran a marathon in Singapore,” he says, proudly.

He is also encouraging children to run. “The best thing about D2D is that the entire family can take part in the events. We have a children’s run that has the largest number of registrations and is breaking records. But I am not worried about records. If a child takes part and feels good running for a cause, I think it’s worth it!” says Neville, who is also a part of the Madras Cosmopolitan Round Table 94 and received the Super Randonneur medal from the Madras Randonneurs.

With 2014 just around the corner, what are his plans for the New Year? Neville’s message is simple: “Keep believing in yourself,” he finishes.

Former sprinter Milkha Singh and actress Bipasha Basu cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI New Delhi: Actor Gulshan Grover and actress Mahima Chaudhry during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI New Delhi: Senior citizens participate in the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: ADAG chairman Anil Ambani participates in the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI Former sprinter Milkha Singh and actress Bipasha Basu cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTINew Delhi: (L to R) Florence Kiplagat, Gladys Cherono and Lucy Kabuu of Kenya, winners of the Women's edition of Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Actress Bipasha Basu interacts with fans during the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTINew Delhi: Florence Kiplagat, winner of the Women's edition of Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: CEO and MD TCS N Chandrashekhar participates in the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh cheers Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia on winning the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI Jaipur: BJP leader and Olympics silver medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore participates in 'Run for Unity' marathon, in Jaipur on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh, actress Bipasha Basu and Vice Chairman and MD Bharti enterprises Rakesh Mittal cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI Former sprinter Milkha Singh cheers Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia on winning the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTIEthiopia’s Atsedu Tsegay raises his hands to celebrate his victory after finishing first in men’s Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. APKenya's Florence Kiplagat crosses the finishing line to win the women’s Half Marathon in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. APFormer Indian athlete Milkha Singh, left, gestures to Ethiopia’s Atsedu Tsegay on reaching the finishing line in men’s Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Tsegay won the race and prize money of US $25,000. APNew Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh and Olympian gold Medalist Donovan Bailey cheers Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia on winning the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Women participants take off at the commencement of the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Participants exhibit enthusiasm during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: A cyclist makes way for the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon on the Parliament Street, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Participants running during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia signals towards the timer after winning the Delhi Half Marathon in record time, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Differently-abled participant during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Participants running during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: G Laxmanan, Kheta Ram and Ratti Ram Saini winners among Indian participants of the Delhi Half Marathon during the Medal ceremony, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh and actress Bipasha Basu cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia (C) winner of the Delhi Half marathon with other winners, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: (L to R) Gladys Cherono, Florence Kiplagat and Lucy Kabuu of Kenya, winners of the Women's edition of Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: A Participant during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Actress Bipasha Basu receives flowers from fans during the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI New Delhi: Actress Bipasha Basu receives flowers from fans during the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde participates in the 'Run for Unity' marathon at August Kranti Maidan, in Mumbai on Sunday. PTIAhmedabad: Senior BJP leader L K Advani flags off 'Run for Unity' marathon held in Ahmedabad on Sunday. PTI Jaipur: BJP President Rajnath Singh, leader Harsh Vardhan and Vijay Goel participate in 'Run for Unity' marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI

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From start to finish

Fitness was not new to Neville J. Bilimoria, the man behind Dawn to Dusk (D2D) Marathon, the third largest event of its kind in Tamil Nadu. A professional rower, it was through rowing that he got into running and cycling.

“I started running in 2010, beginning with 10 km and then going on to run full marathons. Dawn to Dusk started after I did 12 marathons over 12 months and ran in different places across the world. I saw people raising funds through marathons and I thought, why not do the same in India,” he says. D2D is in aid of Bal Sanjeevani, a rehabilitation centre for children affected with cerebral palsy.

From the first edition of Dawn To Dusk in 2012 to the current one, scheduled on January 5, 2014, Neville has been happy, raising funds for a cause. “I believe in giving back to society,” he says. “I believe that if you do something in good faith, things fall into place. What started off small in 2012, this year got 4,500 registrations, thanks to the running groups who have joined in and the D2D team. Shankar Lal Patel (Chennai Runners), Shahul Hameed, (Dream Runners), Peter Van Geit (Founder of Chennai Trekking Club), Durai Murugan (Chennai Trekking Club) and Imran Pasha have been a great team,” he says.

So which has been the most challenging marathon so far? “It was the one I ran at Colombo. I met with an accident while helping a fellow runner. I thought I wouldn’t complete the race. But I made it to the finish line. The most beautiful was definitely the San Francisco marathon,” says Neville, who is an immigration specialist by profession.

“It is a nine-to-five job. I wish I had 10 more hours to do everything. But I take time out and go running in the night to ensure that I don’t miss my runs and also make sure that I get enough rest,” he explains.

A popular face in the running circuit of Chennai, Neville has inspired many people to lace up and hit the road, “even those who haven’t played any sport at all,” he says. “Some of them now go to different places to run marathons. Recently, a friend of mine ran a marathon in Singapore,” he says, proudly.

He is also encouraging children to run. “The best thing about D2D is that the entire family can take part in the events. We have a children’s run that has the largest number of registrations and is breaking records. But I am not worried about records. If a child takes part and feels good running for a cause, I think it’s worth it!” says Neville, who is also a part of the Madras Cosmopolitan Round Table 94 and received the Super Randonneur medal from the Madras Randonneurs.

With 2014 just around the corner, what are his plans for the New Year? Neville’s message is simple: “Keep believing in yourself,” he finishes.

Former sprinter Milkha Singh and actress Bipasha Basu cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI New Delhi: Actor Gulshan Grover and actress Mahima Chaudhry during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI New Delhi: Senior citizens participate in the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: ADAG chairman Anil Ambani participates in the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI Former sprinter Milkha Singh and actress Bipasha Basu cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTINew Delhi: (L to R) Florence Kiplagat, Gladys Cherono and Lucy Kabuu of Kenya, winners of the Women's edition of Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Actress Bipasha Basu interacts with fans during the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTINew Delhi: Florence Kiplagat, winner of the Women's edition of Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: CEO and MD TCS N Chandrashekhar participates in the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh cheers Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia on winning the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI Jaipur: BJP leader and Olympics silver medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore participates in 'Run for Unity' marathon, in Jaipur on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh, actress Bipasha Basu and Vice Chairman and MD Bharti enterprises Rakesh Mittal cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI Former sprinter Milkha Singh cheers Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia on winning the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTIEthiopia’s Atsedu Tsegay raises his hands to celebrate his victory after finishing first in men’s Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. APKenya's Florence Kiplagat crosses the finishing line to win the women’s Half Marathon in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. APFormer Indian athlete Milkha Singh, left, gestures to Ethiopia’s Atsedu Tsegay on reaching the finishing line in men’s Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Tsegay won the race and prize money of US $25,000. APNew Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh and Olympian gold Medalist Donovan Bailey cheers Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia on winning the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Women participants take off at the commencement of the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Participants exhibit enthusiasm during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: A cyclist makes way for the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon on the Parliament Street, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Participants running during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia signals towards the timer after winning the Delhi Half Marathon in record time, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Differently-abled participant during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Participants running during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: G Laxmanan, Kheta Ram and Ratti Ram Saini winners among Indian participants of the Delhi Half Marathon during the Medal ceremony, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Former sprinter Milkha Singh and actress Bipasha Basu cheer the participants of the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia (C) winner of the Delhi Half marathon with other winners, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTINew Delhi: (L to R) Gladys Cherono, Florence Kiplagat and Lucy Kabuu of Kenya, winners of the Women's edition of Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: A Participant during the Delhi Half Marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI New Delhi: Actress Bipasha Basu receives flowers from fans during the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI New Delhi: Actress Bipasha Basu receives flowers from fans during the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15, 2013. PTI Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde participates in the 'Run for Unity' marathon at August Kranti Maidan, in Mumbai on Sunday. PTIAhmedabad: Senior BJP leader L K Advani flags off 'Run for Unity' marathon held in Ahmedabad on Sunday. PTI Jaipur: BJP President Rajnath Singh, leader Harsh Vardhan and Vijay Goel participate in 'Run for Unity' marathon, in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI

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Stanislas Wawrinka eyes good start in India

CHENNAI: Swiss world number eight Stanislas Wawrinka will look to extend the good form he showed in 2013 by when he kickstarts the new season at the ATP Chennai Open from Monday.

Wawrinka emerged from the shadows of legendary compatriot Roger Federer with a string of major semi-final appearances that lifted him into the top 10 after starting the year ranked 17th.

The 28-year-old created a sensation at the US Open in September with a quarter-final win over defending champion Andy Murray, before losing to Novak Djokovic in a five-set semi-final thriller.
Wawrinka then qualified for his maiden ATP World Tour Finals in London last month where he reached the semi-finals, before losing once again to Djokovic.

The star hopes a good performance in his sixth appearance in the $450,000-event in Chennai, which he won in 2011, will boost confidence ahead of the Australian Open in mid-January.

"I feel good to be where I am," Wawrinka said in an organisers' media release. "2013 was definitely an outstanding year for me. It showed me how close I am to the top guys and that I have my chances against them."

Wawrinka said his goal in the new year was to be as consistent as the top players like Djokovic, Nadal, Murray and Federer. "I'm confident going into 2014," he said. "Top players are extremely tough to beat and you need to play your best tennis. However, if you work hard and keep fighting everything is possible."

Wawrinka, who enjoyed a 51-23 win record in 2013, faces a tough field in Chennai that includes world number 15 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, number 16 Fabio Fognini of Italy and the 26th-ranked Benoit Paire of France.

Also in the line-up are Canadian Vasek Pospisil, the Spanish duo of Marcel Granollers and Roberto Bautista-Agut, and Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Defending champion Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia withdrew from a seventh appearance at the Chennai Open after failing to recover from a heel injury that has troubled him all through the year.

Youzhny, 31, begins his 15th season on the circuit looking for a good work-out in the season-opener where he won the 2008 title with a stunning 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Nadal in the final.

The Russian veteran, who won two titles in 2013, says he takes great pride in the fact that he and Federer are the only two players to finish in the top 50 every year since 2002. "Its not bad when you share an honour with Federer," Youzhny said.

Seedings:
1. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)
2. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
3. Fabio Fognini (ITA)
4. Benoit Paire (FRA)
5. Vasek Pospisil (CAN)
6. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
7. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
8. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

Murray hopes to follow Nadal's recovery

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Pope on Christmas Eve lauds Jesus’ start

Pope on Christmas Eve lauds Jesus’ start | Daily Chroniclehtml{-webkit-text-size-adjust:none;margin:0px}body{margin:40px 0px 50px 0px;font-weight:normal;font-size:small;font-family:"Droid Serif",Georgia,Times,serif}a{font-family:"PT Sans",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif}a:link,a:visited{color:#26a;text-decoration:none;text-align:left}a:hover{color:#ace}h1,h2,h3,h4,h5{margin:0px;padding:0px;font-family:"PT Sans",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif}h1{color:#900;font-weight:bold;font-size:xx-large}h2{color:#3f3333;font-weight:normal;font-size:large}h3{font-weight:bold;font-size:large;line-height:125%}h4{font-weight:bold;font-size:large}img{border:0px}p{line-height:150%;font-size:14px}p a{font-size:14px;font-family:inherit}ul{margin:0px;padding:0px}li{list-style:none}li:last-child{border-bottom:0px}#footer ul{line-height:140%}#footer li{display:inline}#footer li a{font-size:small}#footer 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Christmas Eve lauds Jesus’ startPublished: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013 5:30 a.m.?CSTCaption(AP Photo)Pope Francis kisses a statue of baby Jesus as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Tuesday.By FRANCES D’EMILIO - The Associated PressVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis lauded Jesus’ humble beginning as a poor and vulnerable baby as he celebrated his first Christmas Eve Mass as pontiff Tuesday in St. Peter’s Basilica.“You are immense, and you made yourself small; you are rich, and you made yourself poor; you are all-powerful and you made yourself vulnerable,” Francis said of Jesus as he delivered his homily in the basilica, packed with faithful.
Francis has dedicated much of his nine-month-old papacy to drawing attention to the plight of the poor, of children, and other vulnerable members of society.
He noted that the first to receive news of Jesus’ birth were shepherds, who in society were considered “among the last, the outcast.”
The bells of St. Peter’s rang as Francis, who turned 77 a week ago, walked briskly up the main aisle of the basilica for the ceremony, which began Tuesday
2? hours before midnight. Keeping with the theme of humility he has set for his new papacy, Francis carried the statue instead of an aide, and kissed a knee of the figure of the newly born Jesus.
The occasional wail of babies in the basilica contrasted at times with the sweet voices of the choir.
The Argentine-born pope has also encouraged his flock to be a joyful church, and he called Jesus’ “the light who brightens the darkness.”
In the world’s history and our own personal history, Francis said, “there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows.” He added “if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us.”
Francis has applied this same vision to the heart of the Vatican’s own working, saying in past remarks there is no place for person ambition in the clerical hierarchy. Rather, he has insisted, the Catholic church must be one of service to those in need.
Earlier, in the Holy Land, thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world packed the West Bank town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations, bringing warm holiday cheer to the biblical birthplace of Jesus on a cool, clear night.
The heavy turnout, its highest in years, helped lift spirits in Bethlehem as leaders expressed hope that the coming year would finally bring the Palestinians an independent state of their own.
“The message of Christmas is a message of peace, love and brotherhood. We have to be brothers with each other,” said Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, as he arrived in town.
At the Vatican during the homily, Francis quoted the Apostle John, saying
“ ‘whoever hates his brother is in the darkness’ ” and
“ ‘does not know the way to go, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.’ ”
The basilica ceremony was the pope’s only public Mass for Christmas. On Wednesday, Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his Christmas message, meant for the world, from the basilica’s central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
As he left the basilica in a procession, Francis was preceded by 10 children carrying flowers, a pair of children each from Italy, the Philippines, Lebanon, his native Argentina and Congo.
___
AP reporter Mohammed Daraghmeh contributed to this report from Bethlehem.
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