Chennai, 10 October 2025

The fifth edition of ROM, The Physio Run, organised by the SRM College of Physiotherapy (SRMCPT) under the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), concluded successfully at its Chennai campus in suburban Kattankulathur today after covering a distance of over 650 km.

The recurrent, non-stop relay spanning 664 kilometres across Tamil Nadu championed the message of “movement as medicine” and celebrated the power of collective endurance and healthy ageing. The relay commenced on October 7 at Arichal Munai Beach at India's southern tip of Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district, and traversed through SRM campuses in Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Baburayanpettai before reaching its destination at Kattankulathur today.

The event received support from the Collectorate of Ramanathapuram and was inaugurated by Captain Arjun Menon, Commanding Officer, INS Parundu, and Commandant Illavarasan, Indian Coast Guard, alongside Dr Nitin M. Nagarkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Medicine and Health Sciences), SRMIST. “This run is a tribute to SRMIST, not as work, but as something much more meaningful,” said Ms S. F. Mariyam Farzana, Associate Professor, SRMCPT, Organising Secretary, and alumna. Highlighting the broader vision behind the initiative, Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST, remarked: “Beyond a run, ROM reflects SRMIST’s commitment to perseverance, community spirit, and promoting healthy living. Through initiatives like the Physio Run, we encourage our students to embrace fitness as a way of life, nurture empathy through service, and grow into socially responsible healthcare professionals who lead by example.”

Tracing the journey of the initiative, Dr T. N. Suresh, Vice Principal, SRMCPT, added: “ROM began in 2021 as a student-led movement to promote preventive care through physical activity. Over the years, it has evolved into a multi-campus relay uniting students, alumni, and faculty for a shared cause. Participants underwent structured training and fitness assessments before the run.” Dr Nitin M. Nagarkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (MHS), further emphasised the event’s community value: “Health is not just personal; it is a responsibility we carry for our communities. ROM demonstrates what we can achieve when commitment meets action.”

Throughout the relay, structured halts at each campus allowed communities to engage with the runners, amplifying the message of movement as a lifelong medicine. The symbolic handovers between runners represented the passing of energy, mentorship, and purpose connecting generations of students and alumni. Reflecting on the event’s impact, Prof. T. S. Veeragoudhaman, Dean, SRM College of Physiotherapy, said: “ROM is more than a un. It is a relay of knowledge, commitment, and health connecting generations, inspiring action, and reinforcing that movement is the foundation of life.”

The valedictory ceremony at SRMIST celebrated the runners, recognised the torchbearers, and reiterated that ROM, The Physio Run 2025, was not merely about endurance but about unity, service, and a shared commitment to well-being.