Mangaluru Runners Explore City’s Past in Heritage-Themed Sunday Run

Mangaluru Runners Explore City’s Past in Heritage-Themed Sunday Run

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 10, 2025: The weekly Sunday Run of the Mangalore Runners Club (MRC) took a nostalgic turn this week as members embarked on an 8-km “Mangalore Heritage Run” through the city’s historic Bunder area, once a bustling commercial hub.

Flagging off from the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) building — constructed in 1940 — the run began at 5:45 a.m. after a warm-up session. Many participants dressed in traditional attire, with men wearing mundus and women in saris or salwar kameez, while others sported the club’s signature red-and-blue T-shirts.

The heritage trail included several notable landmarks: Zeenath Baksh Masjid, Old Bunder Street (once the spices market), the Pigeon Flying Club, the Vartak Vilas Palace, and the famed Giri Manja Restaurant. Runners also passed the old Flower Market, Car Street, New Chitra Theatre building, BEM School, Canara Bank’s Founder Branch, Mahamaya Venkatramana Temple, S.L. Seth jewellery house, City Bakery, Ideal Ice Cream, Lady Goschen and Wenlock Hospitals, St. Paul’s Military Church, Albuquerque & Sons Tiles Factory, Rosario Cathedral, and the old St. Ann’s PU College building.

The final stretch featured the old DC Office — a former British Madras Presidency administrative building — Mangaluru North Police Station (once Tipu Sultan’s residence), and Kutch Menon Masjid.

At the finish line, KCCI president Anand G. Pai and architect Niren Jain guided participants through the newly developed ‘Trade History Gallery’, showcasing the region’s trading heritage. The run concluded with a traditional breakfast of moode and biskut rotti served with tea.