It’s Not the Finish Line, It’s the Start of Something New – My Independence Day Marathon & Coonoor Adventures!

The marathon is not really about the distance; it’s about discovering what you’re made of." On 15.08.2025, I found out exactly what I’m made of — a whole lot of grit, a little bit of stubbornness, and an endless love for uphill forest trails (okay, maybe not endless).

The alarm went off at 4:30 am in Ooty. I was lacing up for a marathon hosted by the Cherrie Berry in Coonoor. Bags packed with essentials, snacks for Baby R, and our post-run treats, we set off at 5:40 am. The drive to Coonoor was usual, the kind where the morning mist still hugs the hills. By 6:45 am, we were at the venue, picking up our bibs and doing our warm-ups. The route? Oh, it was a test. Steep uphills and knee-challenging downhills that felt like someone was pushing me from behind. “It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

Part of the trail

Somehow, with sweat, laughter, and a few mental notes to run daily from now on, my little Baby R and I completed the 5K while Mr. R powered through the 10K. Post-run, breakfast at Cherrie Berry felt like the ultimate reward. I was shamelessly devouring my food like I hadn’t seen a plate in days — but running uphill in the forest trail will do that to you. Afterward, we joined the flag hoisting ceremony, received our medals and certificates, and then wandered into the Cherrie Berry supermarket for some local and exotic fruits. Baby R, of course, was busy joyriding in the car-shaped cart before heading off to the soft play centre, while R and I enjoyed a much-needed leg rest.

Cherrie Berry, Coonoor

Part café, part farm shop, part playground — Cherrie Berry is one of Coonoor’s hidden gems. Known for its fresh produce, cozy breakfast menu, and friendly vibe, it’s a place where you can sip coffee while your kids play or simply stock up on farm-fresh goodies.

From there, we decided to chase the clouds at Dolphin’s Nose - Perched high above tea plantations, Dolphin’s Nose is a spectacular viewpoint offering sweeping views of the Nilgiris. On a clear day, you can spot Catherine Falls cascading gracefully in the distance. It’s the kind of place where the wind carries your thoughts away. For a few seconds we viewed the stunning falls,  before i could pull out my phone, the cloud curtain was closed again. We clicked way too many pictures before heading back to Coonoor town for lunch at Coonoor Junction.

Our journey back to Ooty included a sweet detour to Ketti Railway Station — One of the prettiest halts on the heritage train route, Ketti Railway Station is surrounded by rolling hills, vegetable farms, and a tranquility that’s rare to find. It’s a photographer’s delight and a reminder that travel isn’t always about the destination. We bought our platform tickets and started taking pictures and videos.

This was, without a doubt, the best Independence Day I’ve celebrated in years — with my crew, conquering hills, collecting memories, and letting the day run wild with joy.

The person who starts a marathon is not the same person who finishes it.