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Sports

Sevathon Brings Community and Nonprofits Together

The Sevathon run/walk started three years ago with about 120 participants, and this year at 2,100.

Volunteers gathered at the crack of dawn on Sunday to set up for the third annual Sevathon at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale. Organized by the , the run/walk raised funds for more than 40 Bay Area non-profit organizations. 

Participants choose an organization to support as well as the length of their run–5K, 10K, or half a marathon. 

As a group, runners and walkers of all ages warmed up to collective stretching and yoga. After the race, participants took in water and snacks, as well as live entertainment from mostly South Asian dance troupes. 

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Sevathon started three years ago with about 120 participants, said volunteer Satya Dixit. This year, the participation numbers were at a record of 2,100. At a symbolic torch–lighting ceremony before the 5K, organizers announced another Sevathon in Chicago on August 21.

Dixit, a Milpitas resident, calls himself a “universal volunteer” because he supports many non-profits in many ways. During Sevathon, he spent most of his time energetically cheering and running besides those who were approaching the finish line. Dixit himself has run more than 20 marathons, but is now unable to continue due to an injury he suffered last year.

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But he says he doesn’t see the injury as a setback. 

“I feel their energy in me—that gives me the motivation to do this forever and ever,” he said. “I get my run and at the same time I help other people. Wherever they see me [after], they say, "Oh, you ran with the runners. That’s what helped me.’”  

Many nonprofit partners had booths at the park with informational displays and pamphlets. My Sahana, an organization founded by Milpitas resident Parijat Deshpande just last year, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of good mental health among South Asians by participating in Sevathon. The non-profit uses a website to educate community members about emotional and mental well-being via a website that helps them evaluate their health in a completely anonymous way. 

“We come from a perspective that South Asians are not fully aware or don’t fully know what mental health is, or where to receive services,” she said. “So we’d like to bridge that gap between the community and the emotional health and mental health field.”

Although the organization does not have an office of its own, Deshpande said they hope to expand soon in order to provide in-person workshops and seminars to build a community to further lessen the stigma around mental health.

Among participants was a wide range of ages. Ravi Chopra, a 72-year-old San Jose resident, not only placed second in the 5K run for his age group, but also performed with his dance troupe called “Jollywood”. The group, a part of the ICC, is comprised of those who are 65 and older. They meet weekly for an hour to practice, and twice a week if they have an upcoming performance. 

“Seniors performing with a little bit of energy at this age and stage,” he said. “I think it should better be appreciated because not everyone can do that.” 

Subhashani Chandra, a senior citizen from Los Altos came to walk in the 5K for the third time because she supports the programs at the ICC, like the creative writing classes she attends and Gandhi Camp, a youth program inspired by Gandhi’s ascetic lifestyle. 

“Right now my back is hurting,” she said. “But I will try. Even if I am not able to walk at least the support is there.”

Chinmay Gowdra, 8, from Cupertino was one of the first ones back from the 10K race he ran with his father, Satish, and placed first among participants of his age group.

What did Chinmay think when he saw the finish line? “That I was going to win,” he said.

For the race results, click here.

To see the photos, click here.

 is the organizer of Sevathon. This year, Patch was a media sponsor the event.

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