Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas after completing the Ironman 70.3 in Goa
Kochi : While courts in Kochi remained shut on Sunday, Kerala High Court judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was in Goa competing in the Ironman 70.3, also known as the Half Ironman, a triathlon organised by the World Triathlon Corporation. The 58-year-old completed the event in 8 hours, 46 minutes and 44 seconds. It comprised a 1.9km swim off Miramar Beach, a 90km cycling leg and a 21.1km run. “Judges work under constant stress, often sitting at their desks for 18 hours a day.
Because you have to take a detour onto the road, as part of my training for Ironman, I used to cycle there, and every time I feared for my life.
“We need lung space in Kochi,” he told TOI , referring to the Vallarpadam Container Road stretch from the junction near Grand Hyatt to Kalamassery. There is no way out,” he said. Munnar, he said, had gone the same way, with rampant construction eating into its beauty and tranquillity. Referring to the Greater Cochin Development Authority, which is mandated to plan the city’s future, he said: “There is no vision, very sad to say.
After his impressive Ironman debut, his thoughts turned to the lack of running and cycling tracks in Kochi and civic apathy towards creating public spaces. “It’s a beautiful stretch along the backwaters, with no construction. Civic authorities should include a corridor for cyclists, runners and families to spend quality time by the serene backwaters. The Marine Drive cycle track is another example of the problem. “Though police have declared it a no-parking zone, vehicles continue to occupy it. “In London, where my son Tarun lives, there is no area that feels dangerous for people on foot or on bikes. He sees a pattern. “If you see an open space, some construction activity starts and commercial exploitation takes place. “That’s why Subhash Park in Kochi is always crowded. People have nowhere else to go. He believes zoning is the answer, allowing people to step out and engage in sporting activities. With several marathons being organised in Kochi, fitness is catching on among people in their 30s and 40s, he noted. The younger generation, however, is more glued to Instagram and reels. For years, he has urged fellow judges to take care of their health. Spend one hour on your health. Engage in some physical activity. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas is the son of former Supreme Court judge and Padma Vibhushan awardee Justice K T Thomas, who delivered several landmark judgments.
I am disappointed with the 26-minute transition time between swimming, cycling and running. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news.
That’s something I will work on,” he said, adding that he planned to be back on the starting line next year. The Ironman debut, Justice Bechu admitted, was not flawless. “I am not happy with the way it panned out. Download the TOI App.