The Pacific Marathon

The ocean gurgled and coughed as it sent a spray of saline water surging into the sky. The aquamarine of the water turned pale and transparent as it surged to touch the blue sky. The sea gulls played tag, challenging each other, to fly above the dancing spray.

Their calls to each other as they swirled, glided, and swooped with joy, resounded in the deserted beach. The meeting being conducted by Oliver Ridley, continued in all earnest. Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Kemp Ridley a cousin of Oliver and Flatback all had come a considerable distance to attend this important meeting.

They were going to conduct the Pan Pacific Marathon. The one who would swim across to the other side and reach the Big Rock, at Los Organos, near Lima (Peru) before the others would be the Champion. They had been meaning to conduct it since a long time, but what with the world buzzing with activity, the oceans filled with sea faring boats, trawlers, cruise ships, cargo ships and many more, there never was a traffic free route.

In all earnestness, they needed aid stations along the route to replenish their energy levels, as they would not have time to squander, looking for food. Loggerhead was desperate to win. He thought of adding a twist to the challenge. “The winner will have to sprint across the sandy beach and reach the base of the Old coconut tree, growing out of the crevice of the Big Rock!”

“It will be a befitting culmination! And makes it a duathlon!” remarked Oliver.

Overjoyed with their successful meeting they stepped into the frothy foam, to take a short leisurely swim, before they retired for the night.

They looked for sponsors, but lucked out…                                                                          They were not using Reeboks, Nikes, or Brooks! It was going to be bare feet after all.

The day soon dawned! As the sky turned pink in the east, the cacophony of the seagulls heralded the arrival of the Bloodied Orb. The soft pastel hues of lavender, pink, blue and tangerine, swirled into the sky, reflected in the ocean. The breeze mixed them in a tizzy, while the waves crashed in a crescendo. All the big guys lined up along the shore; Oliver Ridley, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Kemp Ridley and Flatback. It would take them a long time, but they were going to give it their best shot.

 As they plunged into the cool waters there was no turning back. They swam with all their might, not giving in to the temptation of speed, for they were in for a long race not a short sprint. The bright coral reefs waved to them, as did the shoals of fish, trying to grab their attention, but they were a picture of single-minded focus.

The sun soon rose up into the sky warming the waters, the birds had long been left behind, their limbs were tiring. But none relented. “Speed!” that’s what they heard in their heads.

On and on they went, wondering if they were foolish to have taken off without their aid stations in place after all? Oliver saw Kemp slowing down. He should do something, but what?

A big plume of water suddenly broke the placid waters and the fluke of a big blue whale appeared, majestically. The loud splash created huge waves. Oliver was scared, “What if it eats me up?” The deep whistle, and the melodious song that emanated was calming. Instead of getting scared, Oliver felt reassured. They seemed to strike up a telepathic conversation.

The Blue whale twirled and twisted lazily and pushed forward. Even in its lazy maneuvers it was so fast.

That reminded Oliver of the need of the hour. He was relying on some fish to feed themselves. And right on cue appeared a small school of flying fish! As he grabbed a sizeable one, he swam over to Kemp and indicated he should devour it fresh. Not to worry!

Knowing the trying circumstances they were in, he did as directed. The sun had by now dipped somewhere at the edge of the world, the ocean had turned inky blue. But what was this? The Ocean floor suddenly lit up with a million glowing lights. They tried to stay as close to each other but were mesmerised by the waving arms of glowing sea grass and sparkling outlines of strange fishes and creatures. The songs of the humpback whales were rippling through the deep now.

Long they watched the underwater ballet, performed by strange creatures. Their speed had petered out long back, a mere crawl now. The thought of winning kept them going. All their preparation, their mind training, their strength training, kept popping up, filling them up with zest.

And like this, they went on and on and on…

One sunny afternoon, after countless days and nights, a tired and drained Hawksbill dragged itself out of the calm blue Pacific, on the outskirts of Lima. His sensitive apparatus had already found the coordinates for Los Organos. It was bull’s eye for him. Now to find the coconut tree. “Ah! The sunshine feels so good. Let me just rest a while!” He shut his eyes as he soaked up the golden sunrays. He was dreaming of golden medals, Laurel wreaths and newspaper headlines before he was rudely aroused from his slumber. He just got up and ran as fast as he could…. Speed was of essence! As in all races. Specially the final leg. A sprint is what was required. He cursed the moment they had decided to add this leg…

The sand glinted in the afternoon heat, radiating heat unbearable, but if you want to be a world champ, such hurdles had to be overcome! He lumbered on, throwing all pain to the winds, scanning the trees, palm, palm, coconut! Now is there a rock… There it was! Run full speed ahead, the others would catch up soon, if he wasn’t careful.

He sprinted, as fast as his tired legs would carry him, the sand flying from under his feet, head held steady, eyes focused on the rock…

“Ahhhhh!” That throaty cry of despair could be heard for long on that golden beach as he caught sight of Leatherhead, grinning from ear to ear as he flapped his flippers sticking out of his shell! ‘Lost, but not to a hare this time’, was all the turtle could think of!

Photo by Wexor Tmg on Unsplash