Loden runs to keep youth away from drugs!

GANGTOK, 19 May: 24 year old Loden Sherap Lepcha from Dzongu, a second year student here at the Government College, was on his feet for 10 straight hours, not loafing or loitering as would not be out of the ordinary for his age, but running! The youth used his weekend to begin a mission to generate wider awareness against substance abuse and today covered a staggering 65 kilometres running with his message pinned to his chest – “Say no to drugs”.
Loden, who hails from Sakyong in Upper Dzongu, hopes that his solo marathon [although at 65 kms, he ran much longer than a marathon] will inspire more people his age to stay away from drugs and live healthy lives. Loden has never run a marathon before and does not even have school-level experience of long-distance running. What he obviously lacks by way of training, he more than makes up with a healthy lifestyle which made it possible to run the distance today when he found the inspiration in a social cause close to his heart.
Loden began his solo marathon from Titanic Park here this morning at 7:30 a.m., jogging up JN Marg through Tibet Road then to Ganesh Tok, Bulbuley, Pangthang on to Samdong, Makha, Sirwani and finally ending his marathon at Singtam Bazaar at around 5:30 PM.
Loden is a second year BA student at Sikkim Government College.
Speaking to NOW! after completing his grueling marathon, Loden mentioned that his aim was to spread an anti-drugs message among the youth, appealing them to stay away from addictions and to lead healthy lifestyles.
He shared that he was inspired by Sikkim’s own marathoner, Amar Subba of West Sikkim and also draws inspiration from Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist, who, in 1980, with one leg having been amputated, embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Loden mentioned that he plans to continue his solo marathon runs to draw wider attention to the problem of substance abuse and to convince more youth to Say No.
He shared that he has been getting consistent support and encouragement from his family and friends. For today’s success, Loden expressed gratitude towards Sherap Lepcha for his encouragement and support and to all his friends who accompanied him during his solo marathon.