Indian teen surprises by running half marathon

serena rock-webCHICAGO: A young energetic Gujarati teenager in a Chicago suburb has surprised many, including her family and friends, by successfully completing a half Marathon organized in Chicago by Rock & Roll.

The event held in Chicago downtown on morning of July 15 had nearly 11,000 participants and probably 13 year old Serena Shah was the only Indian girl of her age to compete and finish the half marathon distance in admirable timing of one hour and 58 minutes.

The event starting from Grand Pak ended there after a round of Lake Shore Michigan and had people thronging both sides of the road cheering the participants. For Serena, there were her school friends, family members (younger brother Ronan, father Suketu and mother Rupal) and well wishers goading her to reach the finishing line which she did.

Hailing from a small village near Navsari, Serna has just finished her elementary school and plans going to Bartlett high school. She aims taking up the medical profession as she wants to see that others are trim and fit physically as she is. She has participated in smaller races earlier and has been scoring good grades.

Suresh Shah