Ethiopian runners Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede won the men’s and women’s race at the 2025 edition of Tokyo Marathon, one of the six World Marathon Majors, held on March 2, 2025.
Takele finished in two hours, three minutes and 23 seconds in the men’s race. In the women’s race Kebede clocked 2:16:31 to defend her title.
Weather on race day was unusually warm by Tokyo standards. It was perfect at the start of the race but got warmer in the second half of the race. The brunt of the shift in conditions was experienced by the amateur runners.
We spoke to a few runners from India about how they trained for the event and their experience, running the Tokyo Marathon.
Subhojit Roy (photo: courtesy Subhojit)
Subhojit Roy
Pune-based Subhojit Roy was always more focused on running a well-timed marathon in different cities than on the six-star World Marathon Major (WMM) journey. Nevertheless, having done a few of them he decided to play along and complete all the six.
The six-star WMM circuit entails running the six marathons – Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo. Subhojit’s first WMM was Berlin Marathon, way back in 2017. This year, at Tokyo, he completed his six-star WMM journey. “ I got entry to the Tokyo Marathon after several attempts over the years,” he told this blog.
Towards the end of August 2024, Subhojit contracted chikungunya and had to drop out of the half marathon race at Hyderabad Marathon 2024. Though he recovered from the infection the aftereffects continued to wreak havoc for several weeks thereafter.
“ I had enrolled for Berlin Marathon 2024. My training was absolutely negligible but I decided to go as all my bookings were non-refundable. On race day, I decided to run but carried some cash that would enable me to get back to my hotel in the event I could not complete,” he said. He finished the race in 3:12:59.
He continued to suffer body pain due to the chikungunya infection until sometime in December 2024. “ I had six weeks to train until the Tokyo Marathon,” he said. His coach Nihal Baig chalked out his training plan but a half marathon race timing and a tempo run did not turn out well. After a discussion with his coach, he altered his nutrition and was able to put in two weeks of very good training runs. “ After these training runs, I was confident,” he said.
He targeted a 3:08-finish but was able to finish in 3:05:56, a new personal record for Subhojit. “ The weather was warm and the last 5-6 kilometres were tough. I was not in a mood to let go. The weather turned warm by Tokyo standards but we train in much worse air quality and on traffic-laden roads,” he said. Subhojit was the fastest among Indian runners at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon.
“ My recovery after Tokyo Marathon has been quite good,” he said. He has enrolled for the 2025 Boston Marathon but is yet to decide on going for it.
“ My WMM journey has helped me maintain fitness, focus and sanity in the face of the many ups and downs of life. I think it has more than served the goal of self-improvement and discovery that I embarked upon when I started,” he said.
Narinder Sharma (photo: courtesy Narinder)
Narinder Sharma
Narinder Sharma, now a resident of Chandigarh, trains under Pune-based endurance athlete and coach, Kaustubh Radkar. He commenced his training under Kaustubh while he was at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. He has been running for over 10 years.
“ My training for the Tokyo Marathon went off quite well,” he said. His performance stayed on track though the rise in temperatures did impact him. Narinder finished in 3:31:57.
At Tokyo Marathon, runners are not allowed to carry their own water bottles. They are required to seek hydration support offered in a very organized manner all along the route.
Narinder, 61, an army veteran, has completed three of the six WMM so far – Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo. He is due to participate in the 2025 Boston Marathon slated to be held on April 21. He plans to resume his training shortly. “ After Boston Marathon, I may consider New York City Marathon, which is held on the first Sunday of November each year,” he said.
Harish Vasista (photo: courtesy Harish)
Harish Vasista
The 2025 edition of Tokyo Marathon was the culmination of the six-star WMM journey for Bengaluru-based runner Harish Vasista.
He had commenced his WMM journey in 2018 when he ran Berlin Marathon that year. Training under Bengaluru-based coach K.C. Kothandapani (also known as Pani Sir to runners), Harish followed his training plan. “ Every Sunday, he gives me a plan. Usually, the training plans are woven around the race I am planning to do, my current conditions and my ability,” he said. It is often a combination of fast runs, tempo runs, interval training and long runs on the one hand and strength training and stretching on the other, he said.
“ My coach had given me a target of 3:45 but I was able to better it, and finish in 3:43:11. I had no issues during my race at Tokyo but I missed a couple of water stations and that was tough as the weather was warmer than expected,” he said. Runners are required to go to specific water stations on the basis of the last digit of one’s bib number. “ With so many runners around, you do end up missing your water stations,” Harish said.
Running the six WMMs was a lifetime experience as one meets runners from different parts of the world. “ It is awesome to see runners come with challenges and difficulties and yet complete their run with perseverance. I enjoyed all my six marathons,” he said.
Harish has signed up for the Sydney Marathon, which is the seventh run to become a part of the World Marathon Major circuit. He said he would like to do the Ladakh Marathon but it may not be possible this year as Sydney Marathon falls on August 31, 2025 and the Ladakh Marathon is typically held in the first weekend of September. What awaits him closer home is the TCS World 10k in Bengaluru, scheduled to be held on April 27, 2025.
Dilip Ghadge (photo: courtesy Dilip)
Dilip Ghadge
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon was Dilip Ghadge’s fourth World Marathon Major. He had done Berlin Marathon, London Marathon and Chicago Marathon earlier.
A resident of Kalyan near Mumbai, Dilip, 57, has been running for over 10 years. After the initial flurry of running events, Dilip wanted to run a marathon in a European city and was aiming for the Amsterdam Marathon. But he was advised to run the Berlin Marathon, one of the initial six WMMs. He did the race in 2023 and quickly followed it up with the 2024 London Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon this year.
As Dilip has ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) certification, he drew up his own training plan for Tokyo. “ Training went off quite well and the run was also good,” he said. Dilip finished in 3:52:26, a new personal record.
“ I had learnt about Tokyo Marathon rules, especially the one about hydration. At Tokyo, water is supplied in cups and runners have to gulp down quickly and resume their running. During my training runs, I practiced this method of drinking water – gulping from the bottle kept in my car,” he said.
His recovery has been good, helped mainly by lots of walking, He went on some sight-seeing trips in Japan after the run.
“ I will be running Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025 and I have already resumed my training,” he said. Later in August this year, he will be running the Sydney Marathon, which has now become part of the World Marathon Majors as its seventh event. Dilip’s sixth WMM – New York City Marathon – will have to be attempted in 2026.
Smita Kulkarni (photo: courtesy Smita)
Smita Kulkarni
Smita Kulkarni, a runner from Pune, completed five of the six marathons of WMM with her run at Tokyo Marathon this March.
Her training for the Tokyo Marathon went off well under coach Kaustubh Radkar. She was happy with her training. But the warm weather of race day threw up challenges. “ At Tokyo Marathon, runners are not allowed to carry hydration and with unexpectedly warm weather there was a rush at the hydration stations. Most runners were trying to grab water. It was a mess,” she said.
“ The first half of the race went off okay but during the second half we had no respite from the sun,” she said. Barring the problem with hydration everything else about Tokyo Marathon was good, Smita said. She finished in 3:57:51.
Smita is trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon and she needs to finish in 3:50 for her age category. Having finished Tokyo Marathon and with nothing immediate on the cards, Smita plans to get back to the gym for weight training.
“ In the past 15 months, I have done five marathons – New York City, Delhi, London, Ahmedabad and Tokyo,” she said acknowledging the fact that she needs to take a break from running and resume with renewed energy, later.
Sunanda Dayani (photo: courtesy Sunanda)
Sunanda Dayani
Sunanda Dayani, a runner from Mumbai, has been running for over ten years. Tokyo Marathon was her fourth WMM, having done the New York City Marathon in 2019, Berlin Marathon in 2023 and Chicago Marathon in 2024.
Guided by Coach Kaustabh Radkar, Sunanda went through a 16-week training plan that commenced in November 2024. “ My Tokyo run went off very well though the weather was much warmer than expected. It’s a late start and the sun was right on our heads,” she said. Sunanda found the second half of the race tough because of the sun. She finished the marathon in 3:58:32. Her personal best timing in a marathon is 2:55:23, secured at the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon 2024.
“ My recovery has been quite good. I have been walking a lot in Japan,” she said. Sunanda, a nutritionist, plans to now focus on strength training and resume marathon training in July. Typically, runners in India ease off running during the summer months and focus on strength training. “ I may want to do a trek possibly,” she said.
Kranti Salvi (photo: courtesy Kranti)
Kranti Salvi
At Tokyo Marathon 2025, Kranti Salvi completed her six-star WMM journey.
“ Because I run regularly, I am always race ready,” she said. The Mumbai-based runner is often a podium finisher at most of the races that she participates in. She has also secured a Guinness World Record for being the fastest marathon runner in a saree at the 2018 Berlin Marathon, in Welsh dress at the 2022 London Marathon and in a Japanese kimono at the 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
She used the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025, held in January, as a long training run for the Tokyo Marathon. Her WMM journey began in 2017 with Boston Marathon.
“ Tokyo Marathon was a very different race compared to the other WMMs. There are many rules to adhere to. It’s also a silent race. The roads are excellent and the volunteers do a very good job,” she said.
She finished Tokyo Marathon in 3:59:09.
Back in time, she had wanted to do the Tokyo Marathon in a kimono but the race rules do not permit running in costumes. Having secured the requisite permissions from the Guinness World Records she decided to do it at the 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
Pramod Salvi (photo: courtesy Pramod)
Pramod Salvi
When Pramod Salvi signed up for his first long-distance race at the Mumbai Marathon many years ago, he enrolled for the full marathon without knowing what it entails.
He is not new to sports or adventure sports. He has been involved in many activities including tennis, swimming, equestrian events, motor rallying and hang gliding.
Pramod has been into recreational running for over 13-14 years and has done several marathons and many other shorter distance runs. He and his wife Kranti Salvi, a podium finisher in most runs, have been participating in several races of varying distances over the years.
At Tokyo, his run went off well barring some niggling cramps that he felt sometime around the 30 km mark. He finished the run in 5:23:03.
With this marathon, he has finished five of the six-star WMMs. He is yet to do the Boston Marathon.
Pratik Shetty (photo: courtesy Pratik)
Pratik Shetty
Mumbai-based Pratik Shetty learnt about World Marathon Majors when he decided to read about running to get information on injury prevention.
He started running sometime in 2014 primarily as a means to stay fit and keep himself involved in some sporting activity. At the 2016 Mumbai Marathon, he signed up for a full marathon. “ I realized later that I jumped to full marathon too early in my running. Following that Mumbai Marathon run, I ended up with an ankle injury,” he said. He decided to read up and find out more details about injury prevention. That’s when he got to know about World Marathon Majors.
Pratik, 34, has been registering for each of these WMMs and got entry to his first one at the 2018 Berlin Marathon. He bagged his second one at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon. He has four more to go for the six-star WMM medal.
“ My training for Tokyo Marathon was not good as my work kept me busy. My training mileage was quite low,” he said. On race day, he started well and was able to keep to his pace until the 22nd kilometre. After a toilet break at this point Pratik was not able to get back to his pace. He finished in 5:56:53.
“ The Tokyo Marathon course appears easy but the gentle inclines along the way do take a lot of energy out of the runner,” he said. Pratik will now be focusing on the Procam Slam, which entails running four races – TCS World 10 k in Bengaluru, Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Steel World 25 k in Kolkata and Tata Mumbai Marathon.
Having done the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) certification, Pratik chalks his own training plans. His next race will be the upcoming TCS World 10 km race in Bengaluru slated to be held on April 27, 2025.
(The author, Latha Venkatraman, is an independent journalist based in Mumbai)
Man Singh, Bhagirathi Bisht win 2025 New Delhi Marathon
Man Singh of the Indian Army won the 2025 New Delhi Marathon held on February 23 with a timing of two hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds. He is the reigning champion of the Asian Marathon Championships and had finished second at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon.
The women’s elite race was won by Bhagirathi Bisht in 2:48:59. Nirmaben Thakor, winner among women at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon, finished second in the women’s race with a timing of 2:49:16. In third place was Ashwini Jadhav with a timing of 2:50:48. She had won the 2024 edition of the New Delhi Marathon. Bhagwati Dangi finished fourth (3:09:04) and Disket Dolma fifth (3:10:53). Disket had finished ninth with a timing of 3:19:29 at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon.
In the men’s race, finishing five seconds behind Man Singh was Pardeep Singh Chaudhary (2:15:29). In third place was Akshay Saini (2:15:34). In fourth place was Kulbir Singh (2:17:18) and in fifth place was the well-known elite marathoner Gopi Thonakal (2:18:23). Gopi, the former Asian marathon champion, had finished third at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon.
The open category race was won by Manjit Singh (2:23:35) in the men’s category and by Anubhuti Chaturvedi (3:13:41) in the women’s category.
In the half marathon, the the winner in the men’s segment was Harmanjot Singh (1:04:36). Tseganeshg Mekonnen (1:23:55) was the winer among women.
Anant Gaonkar, Jyoti Gawate win 50 km race at 2025 Tata Ultra
Anant Gaonkar and Jyoti Gawate were the winners of the 50 km race at the 2025 Tata Ultra held at Lonavala on February 23.
Anand Gaonkar covered the distance in 3:13:11. Abhishek Soni came in second finishing in 3:14:02. In third place was Amar Singh Devanda, who finished in 3:21:35. Amar holds the national record for the 24-hour ultra-run with 272.54 km covered.
In the women’s race, Jyoti Gawate, an elite marathon runner, defended her 2024 title with a winning finish of 4:06:50. Seema finished second with a timing of 4:14:34 and Ekta Rawat came in third with a timing of 4:18:03.
In the newly introduced 75 km race, Rohit Singh was the winner of the men’s race (6:05:13) and Arti Agrawal of the women’s race (8:32:38).
Following Rohit to the finish line were Dev Chaudhary (6:20:21) in second place and Praful Vanjare (6:27:40). In the women’s race, Rita Patkar finished second (8:59:23).
(The author, Latha Venkatraman, is an independent journalist based in Mumbai)
There’s a graph in Savio D’ Souza’s phone, which has become a milestone of sorts. It depicts his progression during the half marathon, held as part of the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM). Among India’s top marathoners years ago and post-retirement one of Mumbai’s most sought-after coaches in long distance running, Savio finished the 21 kilometre-race in two hours, 28 minutes and 17 seconds. It’s not an exceptional timing. But it is special, for 2025 TMM marked Savio’s return to participating in the city’s annual marathon after a gap of two years enduring an unexpected downturn in health.
A physically fit individual, managing two coaching sessions every day and training and running alongside his wards for his own fitness, Savio was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2022. The onset of discomfort and the diagnosis were not much apart. The initial symptoms included fever and discomfort in the abdominal area. It appeared to go away with a round of antibiotics. But when the discomfort returned, Savio promptly sought comprehensive medical investigation, following which, cancer was detected. The disease was locally advanced; in other words, stage three. It wasn’t just his colon, the bladder and the prostate gland were also affected. The diagnosis left Savio puzzled at start, for he was a physically active person with a longstanding track record in athletics and who in addition, neither smoked nor drank. Further, if meat consumption was cited as potential cause, he couldn’t help but notice that those into a vegetarian diet also seemed to develop the disease. “ I couldn’t figure out why I got cancer,’’ he said. On the bright side, likely due to his physically active lifestyle, Savio didn’t have any comorbidities.
Following the diagnosis, Savio resolved to follow whatever his doctors advised. He temporarily handed over the training responsibilities for his group of runners – Savio Stars (the group was commenced in 2005, the second year of the Mumbai marathon) – to Dev Raman, a senior runner. Raman was assisted by Savio’s deputies. That done, Savio embraced medical treatment. In all, Savio had 12 sessions of chemotherapy and five of radiation. The main hospital involved in treating him was Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital, reputed for its cancer care. For six of the chemotherapy sessions, Savio visited Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre as well. Asked if he experienced any weakness during the period of chemotherapy, Savio said that aside from occasional blisters in the mouth, he was generally okay. He didn’t feel particularly tired or drained out. For both accessing medical care and staying positive through the treatment phase, the running community and in particular, Savio Stars, were of considerable help. In Mumbai, the typical running ecosystem featuring a large group of runners under a coach, is a small cross section of life’s essentials. Doctors who are into running were always at hand to help Savio understand test results, treatment protocols and recommend the best options in health care.
When battling cancer, a positive frame of mind is very important. Chemotherapy and radiation have the tendency of lowering the body’s capacity to defend against infections. Savio was instructed to stay off crowded places. He diligently maintained this approach for the first round of chemotherapy. Rose, Savio’s wife, used to the athlete’s ways, realized that keeping Savio indoors for long would dampen his spirits. So, on some days, his trainees out on their morning run would come by and Savio would go with a few of them to a secluded corner of the beach that was devoid of crowds, for a brief walk. He wore a mask. On July 6, 2023, after nine sessions of chemotherapy were completed, Savio underwent surgery. A part of the colon and the whole bladder, were removed. Post-surgery, the doctors had special plastic bags attached externally to his body, which collected the body’s solid and liquid waste products. He spent 13 days in hospital for the surgery. Recovery wasn’t exactly a simple path. There was a procedure endured later, in March 2024, to remove the plastic bag for solid waste, reverse that temporary method for waste evacuation and restore the patient’s ability to use the toilet. Given Savio’s bladder has been removed, the plastic bag for collecting urine will remain a permanent adjunct.
There were two moments of anxiety in the recuperation phase. Once, a block developed in the waste evacuation process causing acute discomfort. It brought Savio back to hospital briefly. The other moment of anxiety has a backdrop in physical activity to it. During these months of tackling cancer and recovering from it, Savio had his cataract operations also done. Towards the end of August 2024, he commenced a slow return to his coaching activity. He was very cautious; there was the post-surgery (cancer surgery) care to be cognisant of and cataract procedure recently done meant his eyes too had to be shielded from Mumbai’s rain. There was no more of that old Savio trait of showing his wards how to do their training. Instead, he would be present for the training sessions to oversee them and also use the time he had on the city’s Marine Drive to first walk slowly and then progressively intersperse those walks with short blends of walking and jogging. Once during this phase, he developed a small niggle in his lower back and resorting to old habit, he used a foam roller at home to address it. Not long thereafter, he found traces of blood in his urine. The doctors have since told him to completely stay off any such movements or any exercise that may strain his abdominal area (so, no planks for this runner). Meanwhile, at his training sessions on Marine Drive, which he attended in the morning (at the time of writing, Savio hadn’t yet begun attending the evening sessions), the coach kept gently nudging up the share of those run-walk blends in his walking. As he put it, even in pre-cancer days, he was always one recommending a gradual ramping up of training for his wards. “ I believe in taking things slow. Many amateur runners, when they enlist for training with me, are revisiting running after a long gap. Some of them haven’t run for years. Ramping up fast causes needless injury. Therefore, in the early stages of training, I tell them to come for the training sessions and simply walk. After all, serious training makes sense only if your body is first acquainted to those early morning hours,’’ Savio said. Post cancer, that gradual easing into running became the coach’s advice to his own self.
For this author, untutored in medicine, the conversation with Savio left a couple of points to reflect on. The first was the late detection of cancer. Is it a pattern seen in physically fit people that their fitness, general robustness and higher tolerance of pain, delays detection of things gone wrong? And if late detection is a trend, then would periodic medical check-ups be the relevant way forward for the physical fit? The second question was an often posed one – if diseases can set in despite investment in physical fitness, then what exactly is the benefit of trying to be physically fit? This blog met Dr Rajat Chauhan for the first time in August 2011, at the second edition of La Ultra The High, the iconic ultramarathon, once held every year in Ladakh. A specialist in sports and exercise medicine, he is also a columnist, a longstanding ultrarunner and the founder-race director of La Ultra The High. According to Dr Chauhan, there is no one-size-fits-all template or paradigm to answer the first question. To begin with the whole question of why somebody gets a disease is explicable to some extent and a grey area to some extent. A popular example would be the condition of having fatty liver disease. There was a time when it was associated with alcoholics. Now it is seen as a lifestyle disease affecting more those who don’t consume alcohol. Similarly, within the realm of certain body types generally spoken of as linked to improved well-being, smaller details count. For instance, an overweight but physically active person may be better off than a thin, physically inactive sort. In other words, merely because one is thin, one needn’t be healthier. Viewed so, there is a lot in health that is specific to the individual. Assigning general parameters could be misleading. As for detection – as much as a superior level of physical fitness may be argued to delay detection of diseases in the physically fit, it is equally possible that given individuals who exercise regularly or live the physically active life, have a better connection to their body, they may report anomalies earlier.
Specifically on colon cancer, Dr Chauhan pointed out that it isn’t usually among conditions detected early. The best bet we have against cancer at large is a good quality of life; sleeping well, preserving good mental health, having good eating habits and remaining physically active would be among the ingredients going into it. The problem with periodic health check-ups for the physically active as a general precaution to avoid late detection of diseases is that many of the diseases and conditions which visit us, typically require a detailed medical examination to show up. In other words, a general medical check-up needn’t guarantee all problems showing up. Under the system of healthcare currently available, medical check-ups are expensive. So, if one establishes periodic check-ups as the main relevant alternative for the physically fit to avoid late detection, then it could well end up as money spent to keep the healthcare system healthy rather than oneself healthy. Or consider for example, tests around joint health and mobility conducted on all who have reported for a marathon. “ Investigations like MRI done for the spine and knee, done on most of the runners as well as non-runners, would show abnormalities. Out of which, 90 per cent or more would have no symptoms whatsoever. But based on those findings, they could either be told by my colleagues that they should stop running, or their well-meaning family and friends could tell them the same too. Also, if there is back or knee pain, we need to address it smartly, when their sense of both mental and physical well-being, is rooted in running. What counts more – is it that well-being and joints still usable because of activity, or a cessation of the activity that they are in love with? Most runners, and even other sport enthusiasts end up coming to me because their other doctors have told them to stop playing the sport that defines them. It’s like a death sentence for them,” Dr Chauhan wrote in (this blog’s interaction with him was via a mix of telephonic conversation and email). Having said that, some basic medical evaluation done periodically does make sense for a general idea of where one stands.
With regard to the relevance of investing in physical fitness amidst ailments happening to even the physically fit, Dr Chauhan agreed that one of the benefits of a physically active lifestyle is reduced comorbidities. He recalled an extensive study done during the COVID-19 period in New York, which showed that those into a physically active lifestyle diagnosed with COVID-19, had milder infection or spent less time in the hospital to recover. And yet, despite the availability of such bullet points to underscore the relevance of being physically active, the most tangible justification for physical activity is that it makes people feel good about themselves in the time they are alive. On a philosophic note, Dr Chauhan admitted to wondering – “ why don’t we focus on adding more life to years than only thinking about adding years to life at any cost?’’
Back on Marine Drive, as 2024 entered its final months, Savio tested his post-operation fitness patiently through several days of walking and doing that blend of walking and running. Thanks to two years without any significant physical activity, there was a slump in cardiovascular fitness to overcome. As well as get them limbs moving smoothly like before. Eventually, the 71-year-old sensed his body sending a green signal for the idea he had in mind – take part in Mumbai’s annual marathon. In November 2024, Savio decided to register for the 2025 TMM in the half marathon category. The event’s organizers accommodated the late request from one of the city’s most loved coaches. Savio’s long runs in the run up to the half marathon of January 19, 2025, were just two – both of 10 kilometres each. He deemed that enough for he had been doing regular run-walk of shorter distances, had loads of experience in running from the past to dig into and his immediate goal was anyway to just complete the race. In his pre-cancer days, he was used to running long without much hydration. Post surgery, the doctors had told him to hydrate properly including at TMM. Missing a bladder, he would be running with that plastic bag meant to collect urine as it formed. “ The only issue was whether the plastic bag may flap around as I run. But that never happened during the race because I have a smooth, running style. One that doesn’t disturb the bag. And if at all the bag gets moved around, I can tuck it under the elastic of my shorts; it stays in place. Besides, every time I visited a loo along the marathon’s course, I was quicker than the average runner at finishing my business and coming off. I just have to empty my bag!’’ Savio said laughing.
Five days after 2025 TMM, at their apartment near Mumbai’s Metro cinema, Savio and Rose were a picture of happiness as they shared that graph. As mentioned, the time taken to finish was 2:28:17. Savio placed tenth out of 67 runners in his age category of 70 years and above for men. What made him love the graph, was the pattern of progression. Till around 6.5 kilometres in the race, it shows him maintaining a steady pace of seven minutes and 20 seconds to cover a kilometre. Then, over the next 10 kilometres, he turns up the pace, not ascending to dramatically high levels, but a comfortable peak of seven minutes. After that, it gently eases to a finish at around seven minutes and five seconds. In other words, tiny increments held steadily for long. “ You understood?’’ Savio asked me. I didn’t, initially. “ No, he didn’t,’’ Rose said from the side. The coach explained it again, patiently. I got it.
(The author, Shyam G Menon, is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
The inaugural edition of the SFC Global 10K run in Navi Mumbai, originally slated to be held on February 16, 2025, has been postponed to February 2026.
The event, which was to see participation by international and Indian elite runners, will now be held on February 15, 2026.
“ While we had initially planned for the first race to occur in February 2025, we have made the decision to defer the event to 2026 in order to create an even more immersive and exceptional running experience for all participants,’’ a statement on the event website sfcglobal10k.com said. The 10K course has been charted along Navi Mumbai’s Palm Beach Road which is a straight, flat stretch potentially offering an opportunity for runners to improve their personal timings.
The event is a joint effort between SFC and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). “ We are also extremely thankful to double Olympic Champion and World Record holder Beatrice Chebet for confirming her participation in the race and look forward to welcoming her again, in February 2026,’’ the statement said.
According to information on the website, the organisers of the event have decided to give full refund for those runners who had registered and promised them free entry for the 2026 inaugural edition.
(The authors, Latha Venkatraman and Shyam G Menon, are independent journalists based in Mumbai)
The 20th edition of the annual Mumbai Marathon – currently Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) – was held on January 19, 2025. According to pre-race media reports, an estimated 65,000 people had registered to participate in various categories ranging from the marathon to the Dream Run. This year’s race was much anticipated because some of the infrastructure projects being executed in the city and which had messed up the marathon’s route for the past few years, had either been finished or were close to being finished. However, there was the shadow of an unexpected yet long predicted visitor – air pollution. It is something, Mumbai as a city (especially if it loves running, cycling, walking and such activities) will have to take note of. This, coupled with a warm and humid race day, took some of the sheen off 2025 TMM. On the other hand, the management of the race appeared to have improved although what exactly TMM aspires to be – driven by the numbers participating or oriented more towards performance – remained still a bit difficult to understand. This year too, we spoke to athletes, from both elite and open categories, for an overview of how the race and the event was for them.Excerpts:
Anish Thapa; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Anish Thapa
For their training, the Indian Army’s battery of elite marathoners is typically spread over Pune, Ooty, Ranikhet and Bengaluru. Anish Thapa came to Mumbai straight from Ooty. He had just two days to adjust from the cool climes of the southern hill station to Mumbai’s warm and humid weather. Not to mention – race day in the city has always been a last-minute kiss or kick as regards the weather. You never really know what’s in store, till the day dawns. For instance, overall, on the warmer, humid side, Mumbai had thrown a surprise in 2024 gifting athletes excellent weather conditions and they responded with good performances. As it turned out, 2025 race day witnessed Mumbai back to its usual self. It wasn’t a kiss but a kick. “ My run was okay till the bridge over the sea. After that, the uphill at Peddar Road took a toll. Then past 40 kilometers or so, my hamstring got tight. The last two kilometers was really tough for me,’’ Anish Thapa said. Despite the difficulties, Anish completed his run in two hours, 17 minutes and 23 seconds to place first among Indian elite men and seventh overall. He was among those who – while speaking to this blog – recommended an earlier start for the elite race in Mumbai. In 2025, it commenced at 7.20 AM. He felt a 6 AM or 6.30 AM start would be better given the general trend of race days in the city staying warm and humid. Provided his post-TMM recovery goes off well, Anish hopes to run the marathon in New Delhi in February second half.
Nirmaben Thakor; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Nirmaben Thakor
This elite runner, who hails from Gujarat, ably defended her title at the 2025 edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. However, it was not without its share of difficulties. Nirmaben placed first in the Indian elite women’s category with timing of 2:50:06. Last year, she had won the race with a personal best timing (PB) of 2:47:11. This time around, weather played spoilsport despite her training being quite good. Nirmaben trains under Vijendra Singh at Nashik. On social media accounts Vijendra Singh describes himself as an athletics coach from Sports Authority of India training at Bonsala Military School, Nashik. Nirmaben hails from a village in Patan district, Gujarat. “ During my school days I did not do much of sport. But somewhere along the way I got into running,” she told this blog. In competitions around running, Nirmaben was able to turn in very good timings. At the Bajaj Allianz Pune Half Marathon 2023, she finished the women’s race in 1:17:16 securing an overall second position. She turned in her best timing in the full marathon at the 2024 edition of Tata Mumbai Marathon. “ That is my personal best in the full marathon,” she said. The 27-year-old runner survives on her podium earnings. According to Nirmaben, the weather on January 19, 2025 – race day in Mumbai – was challenging. “ It was quite warm and the humidity was also high. My body was getting heated up. Our start time is very late,” she said. The elite runners started their race at 7.20 AM. Despite the heat, she was free of cramps. “ During the last three kilometers I had difficulties with my shoes as they had become wet and my feet were feeling squishy inside. But I decided to ignore it as I was too close to the finish line,” she said. Nirmaben may opt to go for the New Delhi Marathon, slated to be held on February 23, 2025.
Man Singh; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Man Singh
The winner of the 2024 Asian Marathon Championships, wasn’t quite happy with how he fared at 2025 TMM. “ I am not satisfied with my performance. It could have been better,’’ Man Singh said. According to him, he had targeted a sub-two hours, 14 minutes timing. But the weather on race day proved to be a problem. It was warm and humid. “ My run was good in the beginning. But then, the heat started to take a toll. I got muscle cramps,’’ he said. The cramps in turn hindered his progress, slowing him down especially in the last five to seven kilometers. “ I became slow,’’ Man Singh said. Covering the 42 kilometer-distance in 2:17:37, Man Singh placed second among Indian elite men and eighth overall. The difference in timing between him and Anish Thapa, winner among Indian elite men, was 14 seconds. With his TMM outing not up to satisfaction and India’s elite athletes continuing to chase the late Shivnath Singh’s longstanding national record (2:12:00 – set in 1978) in the marathon, Man Singh hopes to recover well from his run in Mumbai and be ready for the marathon in New Delhi, due February second half. He would also like to do a race abroad.
Gopi Thonakal; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Gopi Thonakal
Among the most familiar faces at TMM, Gopi’s preparations for the 2025 edition of the race had been good. The outcome – he finished in 2:19:59 to place third among Indian elite men – wasn’t to his satisfaction. “ I had prepared well but couldn’t deliver as expected,’’ he said. Gopi too found the warm, humid weather of race day challenging. Around 25 kilometers, he sensed his body developing catches. Result – he couldn’t run as freely as he wished to. Nevertheless, it being too early in the race to worry over such issues, he soldiered on. Plus, unlike in some of the previous editions of TMM, this time around, he wasn’t getting cramps or requiring to stop and stretch. According to Gopi, given the weather was impacting the foreign elite athletes too, they weren’t very far from the Indian elites even at kilometer-30. Overall, his progression was okay till the 32nd kilometer or so. “ Then I became slow,’’ he said. Depending on how well he recovers post-TMM, he would like to participate in the upcoming marathon in New Delhi scheduled for February second half (he won the 2024 edition of this event in 2:14:40) . He also plans to do a race overseas in the months ahead. At the time of writing, Gopi (he won gold at the Asian Marathon Championship in 2017) still held the second fastest time yet by an Indian in the marathon – 2:13:39, set at the Seoul International Marathon in 2019.
Sonam; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Sonam
Sonam finished third among Indian elite women runners at 2025 TMM. Uniquely, she is, as yet, only an occasional long-distance runner. The 2025 TMM was her first marathon. She has run the half marathon distance at a few races before. Her main disciplines in athletics are the steeplechase and the 5000 meters. The 20-year-old athlete commenced running along with youngsters training for entry into the services. “ I had started running before the pandemic induced lockdown,” she said. At the 2022 National Junior Athletic Championships held in Assam, Sonam got the gold medal in the 2000 meter-steeplechase event. She also got a podium finish at the 2022 National Cross-Country Championships held in Kohima, Nagaland. At the 2022 edition of Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation Marathon (VVMM), she finished fifth among elite women in the half marathon run. Sonam’s decision to sign up for Tata Mumbai Marathon was largely fuelled by her family’s need for money. Her sister’s wedding was coming up. “ My coach signed me up for this race as he was confident that I would finish within the first seven finishers among Indian elite women,” she said. The first seven finishers are assured of prize money. Sonam, originally from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, lives in Delhi and trains under coach Sanjeev Kumar, whose disciplines include steeplechase and hurdles. Sonam did not do much training before the TMM race, barring a couple of runs of 30 and 32 kilometers. “ It was quite a challenging race for me. First, the late start was not comfortable. For the first five to six kilometers I got no water,” she said. She was also quite clueless about the hydration requirements for a marathon as this was her first race over the distance. “ I had no idea about the route or how much I had finished. I was beginning to get cramps and suffered cracked nails. But when I crossed the finish line, I felt overwhelmed,” Sonam said. Mumbai’s humid weather is something she has to get accustomed to. “ During the race, I was running alone and I felt scared. I have a phobia of water and running on those bridges was quite a daunting experience for me,” she said, adding that she did consider giving up the race somewhere along the route. Looking back, she is glad she did not give up. She finished in 2:55:45. “ Having completed the marathon, I can say it was a great experience. A lot of the niggling issues that we athletes tend to get bothered by seem so negligible once you finish a marathon,” she said. She will now be participating in the National Games in February, focusing on her disciplines – the 5000 meter run and the 3000 meter-steeplechase.
Kalidas Hirave; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Kalidas Hirave
One of India’s best civilian marathoners, it was only in early December 2024 that Kalidas Hirave won the year’s edition of the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation Marathon (VVMM). He won it with timing of 2:18:21, missing the course record narrowly. A little over a month later, came the 2025 TMM. “ My preparation was good but the heat and humidity of race day got to me,’’ Kalidas said. He wanted to attempt a good timing, something in the range of two hours and 15 minutes. On January 19 in Mumbai, Kalidas’s run proceeded more or less according to plan till about the 25th kilometer. Then he began to feel the impact of exerting himself in Mumbai’s weather. By kilometers 33 and 34, he was sensing some sort of failure in the body. “ Over, the last 3-4 kilometers, I was very slow,’’ he said. He finished in 2:20:28, to place fourth in the Indian men’s elite category. Looking back, Kalidas is unsure if two marathons in two months – both at high levels of performance – may have impacted his performance at 2025 TMM. Big races call for comprehensive recovery periods in between. Consequently, even as he would like to go for the February second half-marathon in Delhi (like the other elites) he pegs it to proper recovery from his outing at TMM. Still, at the time of writing, he had already recommenced training and was hoping to make it to Delhi for the annual marathon there. For this runner based out of Nashik, the biggest challenge faced in training is the typical curse of the elite civilian athlete. Alone in that space, one trains alone. One does not have a marathon pack for company (a pack of that level of running), like runners in the military do. This is one of the major problems in Indian marathon running – the lack of inclusiveness between civilian and military in training so that talent is drawn from a common pool. The blunt truth is that civilians, despite all the work-life challenges they face (in the military you can focus on sports), have made good progress in the past few years and there are civilian athletes now delivering sub-2:30 performances; some of them, consistently. “ I wish I could also train in Ooty or Bengaluru along with the other elites or be supported by big companies into sports,’’ Kalidas said.
Srinu Bugatha; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Srinu Bugatha
Last year at TMM, Srinu Bugatha had placed first in the Indian men’s elite category with time to finish of 2:17:29. He improved that to 2:14:38 at the 2024 Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon held in February. Then in April, he suffered an injury to his right hamstring. In Europe, where he went to participate in the year’s Prague Marathon, the injury worsened. He had to spend time recovering from the injury and nursing himself back to form. In August 2024, he finished first among Indian men at the NDMC Hyderabad Marathon with timing of 2:29:25. Two months later, he was laid low by dengue fever. Recovering from it, he was able to train for roughly two months and get ready for 2025 TMM. “ My run at TMM this year, didn’t go as I had planned,’’ Srinu said. After kilometer-23, his pace began to slacken a bit and at that stage his fellow runners from the Indian men’s elite squad, keeping up with their pacer, left him behind. For the remainder of the race, he soldiered on alone, not exactly an ideal position to be in. Srinu finished in 2:20:43 to place fifth in the Indian elite men’s category. He now plans to run at the 2025 edition of the New Delhi marathon slated for February 23.
Jyoti Gawate; from 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Jyoti Gawate
An elite runner, Jyoti Gawate from Parbhani in Maharashtra, is a regular participant at many of the races around the country. Jyoti has won the Mumbai marathon’s race for Indian elite women twice, secured second position four times and third position once. She won the race for Indian elite women in the 2011 and 2017 editions. She came in second in 2010, 2018, 2019 and 2020 editions. In 2014, she finished third among elite women runners. In 2015, she finished fourth and in 2012 and 2013 she finished in fifth position. In 2016, she finished in sixth position. “ I am returning to the Mumbai marathon after four years. My training was quite good but the race was very tough because of the weather,” she said. Jyoti finished the race in 3:11:09 to place seventh among Indian elite women runners. “ I did not get any energy drinks during the run,” she said. Jyoti had represented India in the IAU 100 km World Championship held in Bengaluru on December 7, 2024. But she had to quit the race at 60 kilometers due to injury. Jyoti has represented the country for 100K and 50K races in both Asian and world championships. Jyoti holds the women’s national record for 100 kilometers, 8:20:07 set at the IAU 100 km World Championship in Bernau-Berlin in 2022. Immediately on the cards for Jyoti is probably the 50 kilometer-race at Tata Ultra, due on February 23, 2025. “ I have nothing planned but I would like to attempt the 100 kilometer-race again to see if I can improve my national record timings,” she said.
Shyamali Singh (photo: courtesy Shyamali)
Shyamali Singh
At the 2025 edition of TMM, Shyamali Singh had to give up the race at around eight kilometers as she had a severe backache. “ While travelling to Mumbai a few days before the race itself, I noticed that my back was hurting quite badly. I kept taking medicines but to no avail,” she said. There’s more to Shyamali’s story than the above-mentioned setback of January 19, 2025. No stranger to TMM, twenty-five-year-old Shyamali has been running for several years and has finished with podium or near podium positions, including in the Indian women’s elite category in Mumbai. In the 2017 edition of the Mumbai marathon, Shyamali finished second among Indian elite women (3:08:41). She finished second among Indian elite women at the Tata Steel 25K event in Kolkata, in 2019 (1:39:02). At the 2020 edition of TMM, she placed third among Indian elite women with timing of 2:58:42. That same year in September, she started to have mild headache and fever. Following routine visits to local doctors and taking medicines, her fever came down but the headache worsened. A resident of Asansol in West Bengal, Shyamali, had to go through a series of hospitalizations and wrong diagnoses before she and her husband, Santosh Singh, learnt of Dr Siddhartha Ghosh, neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospital in Chennai. “ By this time, we had already incurred a huge amount of expenses,” Santosh said. For their consultation with Dr Ghosh, they had to take a flight from Durgapur to Chennai. After the diagnosis – the doctors discovered a tumor – and the initial treatment, they went back home to Asansol and returned to Chennai in December 2020 for surgery. Shyamali underwent a 12-hour brain surgery in December, 2020. “ For us, Dr Ghosh is akin to God. He was aware that Shyamali was an elite long-distance runner and therefore allowed her to resume running slowly after six months,” Santosh said. At the 2024 edition of TMM, she finished in third place in the Indian elite women’s category with timing of 3:04:35. This year’s TMM didn’t prove as successful. But such is life. Going ahead, Shyamali is likely to participate in Kochi Marathon, slated to be held on February 9, 2025.
Reenu Sandhu (photo: courtesy Reenu)
Reenu Sandhu
Running the elite marathon at 2025 TMM, Reenu Sandhu pulled out of the race at around 27 kilometers. “ During the 2025 National Cross-Country Championship last week I ended up with fever and I had not fully recovered. Because of the overall fatigue and the weather conditions on race day I had to give up the TMM race,” she said. The late start was also not helpful. The race for elite runners commences at 7:20 AM, which is considered late for Mumbai’s humid weather. Reenu, a head constable with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and posted in Bhopal, is a track and field athlete who focuses on 5000 meters and 10,000 meters. The 27-year-old athlete, hailing from Haryana, also runs the half marathon and the full marathon. In 2023, Reenu won the Indira Marathon, held in Prayagraj. The following year she earned a silver medal. She had secured a gold medal in the 2023 Indian Army Veteran Half Marathon held in Delhi. Her personal best in the marathon is 2:47:11, which she secured at the Coal India Ranchi Marathon 2024. She will now be heading for the 2025 Coal India Ranchi Marathon scheduled to be held on February 9, 2025. Next on the cards will be the 2025 World Police Athletics to be held in the US. She will be running the 5000 meters and 10,000 meter-races at this event.
Sarswati Rai (photo: courtesy Sarswati)
Sarswati Rai
Winner of the women’s race in the open category of 2025 TMM, 46-year-old Sarswati Rai commenced running about 10 years ago. “ My husband, who was in the army at that time, encouraged me to take up running. Initially, I used to wake up early, go for a run at 4 AM and return home before daylight appeared. I was very shy of getting out and running. There was no running culture where I lived,” she said. Her husband now works with Defence Security Corps (DSC). A resident of Kalimpong, Sarswati was initially clueless about distances. “ I did not know what a distance of one kilometer was. In 2015, I enrolled for half marathon at the Rotary Darjeeling Marathon. It was a tough run for me. I kept stopping as I was feeling dizzy. I finished in two hours, 50 minutes. The guy who was driving the ambulance kept asking if I wanted to stop running,” she said. Sarswati then began focusing on shorter distances to improve her timing and worked her way up through the distances. Her training for 2025 TMM was quite good but her performance on race day did not match up to the training, she said. “ The weather was tough. It was very warm and humid. Normally, I can do 10 kilometers without water but here I had to have water at seven kilometers itself,” she said. She finished the marathon in 3:10:45 winning overall among women in the open category as well as in her age category of 45-49 years. With this race, she completed the Procam Slam for the second time. Procam Slam entails running the four races organized by Procam. These include Tata Mumbai Marathon, TCS World 10K Bengaluru, Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon and the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata; each of these races have to be completed within a stipulated finish time. In February 2024, Sarswati won the women’s open category marathon at New Delhi Marathon also known as National Marathon, with a timing of 3:02:46, her best so far. “ It would be ideal to come a few days ahead of the race to Mumbai but as we have to spend our own money for travel and stay it is not feasible,” she said. Her next race was a half marathon at Golden Pagoda Marathon 2025 at Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh on February 9, 2025.
Amar Singh Devanda (photo: courtesy Amar Singh)
Amar Singh Devanda
Amar Singh Devanda did not train specifically for the Mumbai Marathon. A seasoned ultrarunner who has been in the Indian ultrarunning team multiple times, he had recently represented India in the IAU 100 km World Championship held in Bengaluru in December 2024. Amar was the fastest runner among Indian ultrarunners at that championship. At Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025, Amar finished overall third in the open category and first in his age category of 25 to 29 years. He finished his marathon in 2:35:13, a new personal record for him. Amar could see many runners struggle on account of the weather but he was able to sustain his pace primarily because of his exposure to ultrarunning. He believes that his mind used to ultrarunning helped him cope with the adverse weather. Amar holds the national record for 24-hour run (272.54 km). “ I was able to maintain my hydration and nutrition well throughout the run,” he said. At TMM, the problem for early finishers is the wall of runners especially from the 10 km segment. “ After 31 km it is a struggle running through the crowd of runners. Volunteers need to be guided to direct 10K runners to keep to one side of the road so that there is space for marathon runners to run,” he said. Amar will now be doing 50 km at the Tata Ultra Marathon, slated to be held on February 23, 2025. Thereafter, his focus will be on 24-hour running.
Anil Korvi (photo: courtesy Anil)
Anil Korvi
Last year Anil Korvi ran the half marathon at TMM as he was nursing an injury. He won in his age category (30 to 34 years old). This time around he did the marathon and finished overall 13th in the open category and third in his age category with timing of 2:42:34. His performance could have been better if not for a niggling back pain, the fatigue of three events run within the duration of a month and tough weather on race day. A month ago, he did TSK 25 km in Kolkata. He finished seventh overall and third in his age category. Following this run, he ended up with back pain and fever. He had barely recovered when he had to travel to Gorakhpur for a 10 kilometer-cross country run there. Anil is an employee of Indian Railways. “ I was not able to do any long runs because of lack of time. I was not able to do speed runs either. Every time I tried to step up my speed my back pain would return,” he said. On the TMM course, Anil tried running with Manoj Rane (also a podium finisher) and Amar Singh Devanda but after a few kilometers he decided to fall back; he could not keep pace with the fast runners. “ The weather was not much of an issue for me. My training was inadequate. Also, after the 38th kilometer-mark I did not get hydration support as the water stations were on the other side of the road,” he said.
Mrinal Biswas (photo: courtesy Mrinal)
Mrinal Biswas
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, Mrinal Biswas, 67, was unable to go swimming as most pools were closed. He decided to take up running. Initially, he ran on the terrace of his building in Mira Road. Later he came on to the road and started running on the streets of his colony. “ My cousin Abhijit Shome is a runner. I took his advice and tips on running from him. I took it slow,” he said. In October 2024, Mrinal competed in the Goa Ironman. The 2025 edition of Tata Mumbai Marathon was his third year at this iconic running event. The annual Mumbai marathon commenced in 2004 and completed 20 years this year, having lost two years in 2021 and 2022 to the pandemic. In the previous two editions, Mrinal ran the half marathon race. At this year’s edition of TMM, he was running his second full marathon race. “ In my first full marathon I finished in 3:55. Many runners were surprised with my timing,” he said. Mrinal wanted to train properly and so, joined Snails2Bolt group under Coach Manish Jaiswal. He followed Jaiswal’s training plans. “ My training for this event went off very well,” he said, adding, “ race-day was quite good for me. I did not find the weather too tough. It was a well-organized run with very good work by the volunteers.” Mrinal finished the marathon in 3:33:21, finishing first in his age category of 65 to 69 years.
Kmoin Wahlang; near Mumbai’s Taj Mahal hotel and Gateway of India, hours after 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Team Meghalaya
Kmoin Wahlang is not your everyday senior citizen. A small woman, easily lost among the physically bigger people and still bigger crowds clustered near Mumbai’s Gateway of India, which was where this blog met her, Kmoin had just claimed her sixth victory in her age group hours earlier at 2025 TMM. The 76-year-old, sole participant in TMM’s ` 75 years & above female’ category completed the 42 kilometer-marathon in 4:37:30. The mother of 16 children (12 of who are alive today), grandmother to 54 and great grandmother to seven, was relaxed and betraying no sign of exhaustion from that morning’s race. This blog asked her if Mumbai’s weather – race day was warm and humid affecting the performance of many athletes – had been an issue. She dismissed it; she faced no problems worth mentioning. In 2024, she had completed the marathon at TMM in 4:29:24. What strikes the observer is the timing – in 2025 for instance, the timing returned by the 76-year-old would fetch her a third place in TMM’s 60 to 64-year-old age category; a group that is more than 10 years younger in age. Hailing from Shngimawlein in Meghalaya, Kmoin said she started her journey in running at age 69 or 70. She reaches Mumbai every year for TMM with the team of runners regularly coming for the event from the state in north east India. Besides Kmoin, Meghalaya had a podium finisher in Tlanding Wahlang, who completed the marathon in 2:45:18 to place first in the 45 to 49 years age category for men.
Thomas Bobby Philip; at 2025 TMM (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Thomas Bobby Philip
For Bengaluru-based Thomas Bobby Philip, 2025 TMM was an enjoyable experience. Bobby plans his annual training calendar around two events – the TCS World 10K in Bengaluru and the Tata Mumbai Marathon. TMM is an event he looks forward to every year. He found the 2025 edition of the event well executed. Equally, the execution of his own plan and strategy at the event, went off well. He had targeted a finish time of below three hours and 15 minutes and was delighted to complete the race in 3:11:48. Strategy and disciplined delivery appear to have been the key. “ Had I altered the pace and gone a second or two faster, I would have probably messed it up. Over time, you learn to leash in that urge to accelerate and run in a more controlled fashion,’’ Bobby, who has by now years of experience running marathons, said. The only difficulty he felt may have been at the uphill section on Peddar Road but even that went by without much exertion and only some ache in the calves to cope with for the rest of the run. Asked about the weather conditions on race day, Bobby said that it didn’t affect him because Mumbai has a general nature of weather that is characteristic to the city and also, he “ had planned for the worst.’’ “ Even in that phase when I was getting sub-three hour-timings, I didn’t let the weather bother me too much,’’ he said. Further, this was Bobby’s thirteenth TMM; he knew what to expect and when he runs, he doesn’t allow external factors to affect him. He keeps his mind in check. Bobby said that the completion of the infrastructure projects underway earlier, definitely made the course in Mumbai more enjoyable. A barefoot runner, he also said that the resurfacing of some of the roads made his 2025 outing in Mumbai among the best he had in all these years of running in the city. Bobby placed third in his age category (55-59 years) in the marathon at 2025 TMM.
Vaijayanti Ingawale (photo: courtesy Vaijayanti)
Vaijayanti Ingawale
A paediatrician based in Thane, Vaijayanti Ingawale was not able to execute a good training plan ahead of the 2025 TMM. “ I had some back issues and was not able to do speed practice,” she said. Vaijayanti, who is also an ultrarunner, had enrolled for the Border 100 kilometer-run, held over December 14-15, 2024. She had to quit after 30 kilometers as she started cramping. She has been securing age category podium positions in marathons and shorter distances for the past several years. At TMM, she decided to take it slow and steady. “ The weather did not get to me but I could see a lot of runners suffering,” she said. Vaijayanti had a fall at around 21 kilometers but she was able to resume walking and then, running. “ My target was to finish somewhere between 5:13 and 5:30 hours,” she said. Vaijayanti, 67, finished the marathon in 5:24:51 securing first place in her age category of 65 to 69 years. She has enrolled for the 50 kilometer-race at Tata Ultra, due on February 23, 2025 in Lonavala.
Pervin Batliwala (photo: courtesy Pervin)
Pervin Batliwala
Pervin Batliwala has been an age category podium finisher in most of the running events that she participates. At TMM 2025, she finished the half marathon in 2:14:20, winning yet another age category podium (70 years and above). In December 2024, at Vasai Virar Municipal Marathon (VVMM), she had covered the distance with an even better timing of 2:11:48 to finish second in her age category of 60 year and above. “ When I started the run at TMM, I found my friends running too fast. I decided to do my own race,” she said. Her training for Mumbai Marathon was good, though her focus has been more on swimming in recent months. “ In 2024, much of my training time was focused on swimming. I wanted to focus on freestyle swimming technique as I am new to it. I am good in the breast stroke,” she said. Pervin also takes part in open water swimming races. She has completed the six-star World Marathon Majors, done a few ultrarunning events including Comrades Marathon (an ultramarathon in South Africa) and the Khardung La Challenge, a 72 km run in Ladakh among others. This time around at TMM, weather was a dampener. “ It was quite warm. I found it difficult to accelerate. I saw many runners suffering cramps. In such situations we have to be sensible and careful and pull back from our targets,” she said. Her next event is in swimming. Later, she may consider signing up for the Sydney Marathon, which is now part of the World Marathon Majors.
Asokan Shanmugam (Photo: courtesy Asokan )
Asokan Shanmugam
A runner based in Chennai, Asokan Shanmugam, got into recreational running when he was 41 years old. Over the past 11 years (now he is 52) he has been able to get age category podium finishes at many of the running events that he participates in. “ I run six days a week and for two to three days I do strength training,” he said. At the 2024 edition of Vasai Virar Municipal Marathon (VVMM) Asokan won in his age category (50-59 years) with a personal best timing of 1:23:53 in the half marathon race. “ At the time of the Vasai Virar race the weather was quite good but by the time of the Mumbai marathon, the heat had increased,” he said. He was not unduly affected by Mumbai’s weather during the TMM run as he is used to running in similar weather in Chennai. At 2025 TMM, he finished the half marathon in 1:24:59, getting a third position in the age category of 50 to 54 years. “ I would like to bring down my half marathon timing by another 2-3 minutes before I attempt a full marathon,” he said.
(The authors, Latha Venkatraman and Shyam G Menon, are independent journalists based in Mumbai. This article is a work in progress and will keep growing as more conversations happen)
From left: Tashi Ladol, Skarma Idong Lanzes and Stanzin Dolkar (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Annual marathon done and dusted, the roads near Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), betrayed little sign of the thousands of runners who had passed that way just over 24 hours ago. The city is like a chameleon. It changes colour briefly for India’s biggest marathon. Event over, it quickly returns to its regular call sign of bustling trade and commerce. It was January 20, 2025. Not far from CSMT, at the apartment where the runners from Ladakh stayed, the room I was ushered into reserved a corner for its residents to pray. As Jigmet Dolma told me, the team’s coach, Mumbai-based Savio D’Souza was gifted a traditional print on cloth, done in the style of the Buddhist faith. Kept on a shelf in the room and supported by the wall, the fabric imprinted with an image of divinity, became the centre piece. There were two prayer books and small steel cups bearing offerings of water, in front of the image. The adjacent window was shut. But through its glass panes, sunlight wafted in less like an electric beam and more like a warm, diffused glow. As I understood, the little shrine appeared when the runners reached Mumbai for their annual tryst with the city’s marathon. Race done and runners gone, the shrine too disappeared. Sitting in that peaceful corner, I felt transported to Ladakh.
Stanzin Dolkar, Skarma Idong Lanzes and Tashi Ladol – all of them still doing their college education – walked into the room. For the trio, it had been a busy season of running till January 19, 2025. Back home in Ladakh, their training for India’s season of marathons, typically begins in April. The month of March is a period of rest. Stanzin Dolkar hails from Lamayuru. She has been to Mumbai before, as part of Ladakh’s running team. For most Ladakhi runners, their marathon season leading up to the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM), commences with local races. In Stanzin’s case, it was the annual Ladakh Marathon; its 2024 edition, wherein she participated in the half marathon and finished third. Next came the marathon in Spiti, where she placed second in the half marathon. At the inaugural edition of the Kashmir International Marathon, she placed eleventh overall among women in the half marathon. Then, traveling south to Pune in Maharashtra, she finished ninth among women in the half marathon there. This outing earned her a new personal best (PB) – an hour and 24 minutes to cover 21 kilometres. Her first race of the season in the Mumbai region was the annual Vasai Virar Mayor’s Marathon (VVMM). At the event, she placed second in the women’s half marathon. It was time now to focus on TMM.
Unlike Stanzin Dolkar, who appeared comfortably settled into running the half marathon, Skarma viewed herself for the present, as a 10 kilometre-specialist. Her season had started with a first place over a distance of 11.2 kilometres at the Ladakh Marathon in Leh. Trying her hand at the half marathon for the first time, she got a tenth place in the women’s half marathon at the 2024 Kashmir International Marathon. “ It was tough for me. I thought I won’t do the half marathon again,’’ she said. Skarma, who hails from Kobet in Nubra, had therefore planned to do the 10K at TMM in Mumbai. It would be her first visit to the city as part of Ladakh’s running team. Then an error occurred while registering for the race. Her original registration accidentally preferred TMM’s virtual race and by the time she tried to correct it, registrations for the actual 10K had closed. So, she ended up registering for another half marathon. Would it be tough? How would she fare in it?
Tashi, who completes this trio, has run in Mumbai before. Her PB in the half marathon is 1:23:10. At 2023 TMM, she had finished second in her age category with timing of 1:25:22. Her 2024-2025 season commenced, as with Stanzin and Skarma, at the annual Ladakh Marathon, where she earned a first place in the half marathon. Tashi followed that up with a first place in the half, in Spiti. She placed eighth among women in the half, at the Kashmir International Marathon. It was another eighth among women in the half, at Pune. Then she was first among women in the half marathon at VVMM. Thereafter, it was countdown to 2025 TMM.
On January 19, race day in Mumbai, all three Ladakhi runners found the humidity difficult to endure. The early portion of the race – the stretch leading up to the Sea Link bridge and the time spent on it – was particularly uncomfortable because of the humidity. They had spent adequate time in Mumbai in the lead-up to race day and yet, as runners from Ladakh they had a problem coping with the city’s humidity. The heat wasn’t as much an issue. Unlike in the 42 kilometre-marathon, wherein runners form packs to get carried through and strike out on their own in the final portion, in the half marathon, it is each to his / her own design from the start. “ In the 42, which is genuinely long, it makes sense to have a group that carries you along for much of the distance and then strike out by oneself,’’ Jigmet, who is a seasoned marathoner, explained. The half marathon is viewed as a more individual race given its shorter distance. Although they all hailed from Ladakh, the three half marathon runners moved in their own individual cocoons. Skarma, who loves the 10K, shot to the front early. Tashi, who was at this stage behind Skarma and having Stanzin Dolkar for company, put it in perspective. “ The heat and humidity of the Sea Link portion was tough on me. By the time I finished it, I was wondering whether I would be able to continue. Around this time, Stanzin also moved ahead. Till about the 12th or 13th kilometre, I kept thinking of giving up. But our coach Savio used to remind us not to give up and instead try to complete the race. That kept me going,’’ she said.
The corner of the room, reserved for prayer (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Skarma was up in front for a good part of the race. At around kilometer-18, on Mumbai’s well-known Marine Drive, she began to slow down a bit. That was the point, Stanzin took the lead. According to all three runners, none of them were focused on podium positions or even aware of where they stood in the line of runners racing to the finish. “ We run in pursuit of an improved timing, that’s all,’’ Stanzin Dolkar said. The runner from Lamayuru completed the race in one hour, 25 minutes and 47 seconds to emerge overall winner among women in the half marathon at 2025 TMM. Skarma (1:26:59) placed second and Tashi (1:29:27), third. For Skarma, it would seem a smashing debut in Mumbai. A person who speaks thoughtfully, she looked happy with the outcome. But her heart continued to be in the 10K. She still thinks of herself as a 10K runner and plans to do the 10K through 2025. She believes that by then the team’s coaches – Savio and Tsering Stobgais (he is also the team’s manager for their Mumbai visits) – will decide whether she should embrace the half marathon or not. Tashi, whose positive attitude is infectious, had mixed feelings about her result. “ The race was good but I am not satisfied with my timing. I did not have any inkling of a podium position when I finished. So, realizing that I was third was a surprise; a bonus,’’ she said smiling. For team Ladakh, it was a clean sweep of podium positions in the women’s half marathon. But Ladakh’s half marathon story at 2025 TMM, doesn’t end there.
For the past few years at TMM, Stanzin Chondol has been a promising talent in the half marathon from Ladakh. At 2023 TMM, she had finished third in her age group with timing of 1:26:14. In 2024, she finished second in her age group. Hailing from Zanskar and familiar with TMM through previous visits to Mumbai with the Ladakh team, this college student had a run up to 2025 TMM that was similar to that of her team mates but with a twist at the end; a twist, which may have made a difference. Her 2024-2025 season began with a first place in the 10K in Drass and a second place in the half marathon in Leh. Then, this runner, known best for the half marathon and who hasn’t done any of Ladakh’s own ultramarathons, enlisted for a run of 76 kilometres in Spiti and finished second. “ I went to Spiti because they had announced a laptop for the winner. Eventually, they gave cash prizes. But I was able to buy a laptop with the prize money. A laptop is very useful for Power Point presentations in college,’’ she said. Following Spiti, Stanzin placed thirteenth among women doing the half at the Kashmir International Marathon. Then came the twist. She had to represent Ladakh University at a national level sports meet in Goa. This was on January 18, the day before 2025 TMM. Having run the 10K in Goa and finished fourth, she dashed back to Mumbai that evening and ran TMM’s half marathon early morning January 19. “ My body was tight and my hamstring was hurting. I thought of giving up but managed to complete nonetheless,’’ she said. Forty-seven seconds after Tashi Ladol completed her half marathon in third place, it was Stanzin Chondol who crossed the finish line in Mumbai with timing of 1:30:14, making it a 1,2,3,4–sweep for Ladakh. Zanskar’s Stanzin also secured second place in her age category for women (same as last year), just behind Lamayuru’s Stanzin.
When contacted, Savio said that Ladakh’s half marathon runners were currently in a sweet spot. “ The four of them are more or less of the same level of competence. They train together and keep pushing each other to improve. That’s good for them,’’ he said, hinting alongside that nothing is permanent in life and athletics. There will always be the question of how long a sweet spot lasts. As much as results in the half marathon shone for Ladakh this year, it was tough going for the team in the full 42 kilometre-race. Jigmet Dolma, their best-known marathoner, had prepared better than last year for 2025 TMM. She was running in the Indian women’s elite segment. “ My training was okay and I was happy with it,’’ she said. Jigmet had also reached Mumbai sufficiently early to get used to the heat and humidity. But inexplicably on yet another warm and humid race day in Mumbai, she began developing pain on her side and in the chest region in the early part of the race itself. It affected her pace and she had to slow down. She struggled and continued as best as she could till about kilometer-30. Then, she gave up. It made sense to stop, prevent any further damage and preserve oneself to train and run well at the marathon in New Delhi, due in February second-half. According to her, there were 17 women in the Indian elite category of the 2025 Mumbai marathon. Of that almost half didn’t complete the race.
Jigmet’s result in 2025 has a backdrop to it and it is something authorities in Leh could help address. Many Indian athletes come from tough circumstances. Getting a secure job is something they all dream of. But it is also important that jobs allow them time for training. A year ago in 2024, after she finished the 2024 TMM sixth among Indian elite women (she developed pain in her shoulder and hamstring at 31-32 kilometres and had to slow down), Jigmet had spoken to this blog of challenges she faced in training (https://shyamgopan.com/2024/01/26/2024-tmm-musings/). She held a temporary job with the police in Ladakh and wasn’t able to train twice a day (typically training hard in the morning and an hour of easy running in the evening) as elite athletes are required to. Asked in 2025 if the situation had changed, she said that her job was yet to be made permanent and although accepted for employment for her strength in sports, her training was still not back to twice a day. The predicament was highlighted by Savio as well. Running with elite athletes – at that pace and for so long – is not easy. One has to train systematically and diligently for it. “ Jigmet is able to train only once a day. I think she has opted for the evening shift at work. At the level of athletes like her, an hour of easy running in the evening would mean about 10 kilometres covered. Multiplied by the number of days a week she trains, that is not a small mileage. When Jigmet is unable to train twice a day, it basically means that her overall mileage in training has decreased,’’ Savio said, pointing out how limitations imposed by one’s job, can hurt athletes. Jigmet was a podium finisher at TMM in the Indian women’s elite category in 2019; she has also been part of Indian teams for marathons abroad. Her former teammate in running the women’s marathon, Tsetan Dolkar, now works as a coach in Leh.
Team Ladakh; top row, from the left: Tsering Stobgais (manager), Manzoor Hussain; second row, from the left: Stanzin Chondol, Disket Dolma, Skarma Idong Lanzes, Jigmet Dolma; front row from the left: Namgyal Lhamo, Tashi Ladol, Stanzin Dolkar (photo: Shyam G Menon)
At 2025 TMM, Jigmet’s fellow runner from Ladakh, Disket Dolma, was making her debut in the Indian women’s elite category. She hails from Ladakh’s Changthang region and works as a cook. She had run in Mumbai before as part of Ladakh’s running team. But elite was an altogether new challenge. “ Initially I was quite nervous about being in the elite category. After I met the other runners in the segment, I relaxed a bit,’’ she said. In the elite category for the first time, Disket found the pace of running a bit daunting. The elite runners from overseas were in a class by themselves and beyond the reach of most Indians. Keeping up with the Indian elites was possible for Disket but it was challenging. For a good portion of the race, she ran at the tail end of the Indian women’s elite segment. Disket too remembered Savio’s words asking the Ladakhi runners not to give up. Past the race’s half-way point, after the Sea Link bridge, she found herself going past a few of the Indian elite runners. Her perseverance had paid off. Disket completed her debut in the Indian women’s elite segment at TMM in ninth place with timing of three hours, 19 minutes and 29 seconds compared to her open category-timing of 3:22:08 (but first place in her age group) from 2024 TMM. This, in an elite race with late start (the open category begins at 5 AM, the elites at 7.20 AM), on a warm and humid day. She now looks forward to running the marathon in Delhi, where too, she is in the elite segment for Indian women.
What can a freelance journalist hailing from Kerala and living in Mumbai do, after hearing these accounts? I asked Stobgais and Stanzin Dolkar, how to say congratulations as the people of Ladakh do. Tashi Delek – that’s what you say, I was told. I tucked it away in mind, for a potential headline. Conversation over, I requested for a final group photograph of the whole team, which also included Manzoor Hussain (he completed the marathon at 2025 TMM in 2:55:07) and Namgyal Lhamo, who is into trail running. That done, I took leave of the runners. On the road below the apartment, I stopped at a small hole-in-the-wall café for bun maska and chai. I thought of my favourite brew in the mountains – ginger, lemon, honey tea. No place like Ladakh for a glass of it.
(The author, Shyam G Menon, is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
Berhane Tesfay, Merhawi Kesete and Tesfaye Demeke on the final stretch of the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon (photo: Shyam G Menon)
Berhane Tesfay wins the men’s marathon
Joyce Chepkemoi Tele wins the women’s marathon
New course record in the men’s half marathon
For the first time in the event’s history an athlete from Eritrea took top honours at the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM). On January 19, 2025, at the 20th edition of the race, Berhane Tesfay endured the temperature and humidity of India’s financial capital to cross the finish line in two hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds to emerge overall winner.
With fellow Eritrean runner, Merhawi Kesete, finishing second in 2:11:50 in the men’s elite segment, the tiny country situated close to the horn of Africa denied the numerically superior team from its big neighbour, Ethiopia, any chance of repeating the sweep of podium positions it accomplished in 2024. In the men’s elite category, Ethiopian runner, Tesfaye Demeke (2:11:56), secured his country a third place. Last year’s winner, Lemi Berhanu Hayle of Ethiopia had to settle for the sixth place this time; he finished in 2:14:54. In 2024, Ethiopian runners had swept the top three podium positions in both gender categories.
Joyce Chepkemoi Tele at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon (photo: Shyam G Menon)
In the women’s elite category race of 2025, Joyce Chepkemoi Tele of Kenya (2:24:56) placed first. She was followed to the finish line by Shitaye Eshete (2:25:29) of Bahrain and Medina Deme Armino of Ethiopia (2:27:58), who placed second and third respectively. Shift to the Indian women’s elite category and the top three finishers were Nirmaben Thakor (2:50:06), Sonika Parmar (2:50:55) and Sonam (2:55:45), in that order. For Nirmaben, who placed sixteenth overall in the women’s marathon in Mumbai this year (source: World Athletics report on 2025 TMM), it was a case of successfully defending her title from 2024. Sonika was seventeenth overall in the women’s marathon and Sonam, eighteenth. In the Indian men’s elite category, Anish Thapa (2:17:23) was the first to cross the finish line. He placed seventh overall in the men’s marathon. Anish was followed by Man Singh (2:17:37 / eighth overall) and Gopi Thonakal (2:19:59 / eleventh overall); they finished second and third among Indian elite men respectively. All three runners – Anish, Man and Gopi – are from the Indian Army.
Winner among Indian elite women, Nirmaben Thakor, cools herself on a warm and humid race day, at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon (photo: Shyam G Menon)
The top 10 finishers in the elite men’s marathon included two Eritreans, two Indians, one Kenyan and five Ethiopians. The same from the women’s elite marathon was composed of one athlete from Kenya, one from Bahrain and the remaining eight, from Ethiopia. A country with highlands like its neighbour Ethiopia and a sea coast for bonus, Eritrea is known for its prowess in long distance running. It has produced athletes like Zersenay Tadese and Ghirmay Ghebreslassie. On the whole however, Eritrea’s strength in the marathon has stayed overshadowed by the achievements of Ethiopia, a long established power house in the sport.
Sawan Barwal, winner in the men’s half marathon (this image was downloaded from the X account of TMM and is being used here for representation purpose; no copyright infringement intended)
In the men’s half marathon at 2025 TMM, Sawan Barwal covered the distance in 1:04:36. According to information posted on the X and Instagram accounts of TMM, Barwal’s timing is a new course record. Second and third positions in the men’s half marathon went to Harmanjot Singh (1:06:01) and Kartik Karkera (1:07:18). In the women’s half marathon, the top three spots went to Stanzin Dolkar (1:25:47), Skarma Idong Lanzes (1:26:59) and Tashi Ladol (1:29:27).
This year, over 65,000 people had registered to participate, across various disciplines, in the annual marathon. Known for its fickle weather conditions on race day, Mumbai went into the 2025 TMM with concerns expressed about air pollution. There was smog in the preceding days. From their planes, travellers flying into the city could see a thick layer of smoke and dust spread over the city. The smog denied proper view of the city’s skyline from South Mumbai’s Marine Drive, those working at Nariman Point said. Equally lost were the views from the Vashi bridge, of the region’s major port and its massive gantry cranes.
Anish Thapa on the final stretch of the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon (photo: Shyam G Menon)
On the day of the annual marathon however, it was that characteristic Mumbai mix of heat and humidity, which became a challenge for many runners. The time taken to finish by the overall winner in 2025 compares with the 2:07:50 of 2024, which was a year of unusually good weather on race day in Mumbai. Needless to say, a majority of the Indian elite runners that this blog spoke to, expressed the desire to see the elite race commence earlier than the 7.20 AM start it enjoys currently. When contacted, Nirmaben, who was the winner in the Indian women’s elite category told this blog, “ Race day was quite warm with high humidity. My body was getting heated. Our start time was very late. Nevertheless, the race overall went well.” “ Maybe 6 AM or 6.30 AM – that could be better,’’ Anish Thapa, the winner among Indian elite men, said referring to an ideal start time for the elite race, during a brief conversation with this blog. The sole new course record of the day came from the men’s half marathon, a race that features an early start. The sun wasn’t yet out, when Sawan Barwal whizzed past this author witnessing the 2025 TMM at Churchgate in the city.
At the same time, it is worth noting that Berhane Tesfay’s timing from a warm and humid Mumbai morning on a course with an uphill and a downhill in it, was better than the longstanding Indian national record in the men’s marathon, which Indian athletes have been attempting to better for some years now.
(The author, Shyam G Menon, is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
Hiking, running and cycling appear to be having their mountaineering moment in India with at least three instances of foreigners detained at Indian airports for carrying Garmin devices hosting technology not permitted for civilian use in India, reported from December 2024 onward.
Based on these news reports and a conversation with Garmin India, the crux of the problem seemed that the devices in question sported satellite communication technology, currently not allowed for civilian use in India and permitted import only for government use. Of the three instances cited, two – involving a cyclist and a runner – were from Goa, while one involving a hiker was from Delhi. The nationalities were Czech, Canadian and Scottish. The story of the Canadian ultrarunner / trail runner, Tina Lewis, was reported by the running website IRunFar and the website of the reputed magazine, Outside.
All the above-mentioned cases involved devices from Garmin’s inReach range of products. As per details on the website of Garmin, its inReach devices allow global two-way messaging via the global Iridium satellite network. If necessary, it can also trigger an interactive SOS message with one’s GPS coordinates to the Garmin Response 24/7 staffed emergency response coordination centre. The problem encountered in India concerns the device’s capacity for two-way communication via satellite. Based on past similar instances, it is also possible that the satellite network used in these models – Iridium – may be a problem. When contacted, an official of Garmin India said that the company imports and retails only its non-inReach line of products for use by civilians in India. Products from the company’s inReach range are imported exclusively for government use, he said. A report related to the recent detentions in India (and devices involved confiscated at the respective Indian airports), in Mint, dated January 3, 2025, said, “ The use of a device with built-in satellite transmitter is found to violate the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933.’’ According to the Mint report, “ Garmin inReach and Garmin Edge 540 GPS devices are not allowed in India without authorisation. Earlier, a few foreign nationals were detained in India for carrying a Garmin Edge 540, a GPS-enabled cycle / bike computer that tracks speed, distance, and other metrics.’’
Indian embassies and consulates around the world have put out notices warning foreign visitors not to carry any satellite phone to India without prior permission as the device would be seized and the holder of the phone may be prosecuted under Indian law. These notices are available on the Internet. Information about the Garmin Edge 540, available on Garmin’s website, shows that it is compatible with at least two products hailing from the company’s inReach range of products (inReach Mini and inReach Mini 2). By definition, GPS devices use satellites. Based on available information, what appears to put the inReach range on the wrong side of the law in India – as happened with satellite phones earlier – is the capacity for two-way satellite-based communication; in the case of inReach devices, two-way messaging. Further, the notices put out by Indian missions abroad mention Thuraya / Iridium satellite phones as banned in India. As mentioned earlier, Garmin’s website says its inReach devices use the Iridium satellite network for their two-way messaging.
A perusal of the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933 (it is available on the government’s website) showed its Section 3 sayings so: Prohibition of possession of wireless telegraphy apparatus without licence. — Save as provided by Section 4, no person shall possess wireless telegraphy apparatus except under and in accordance with a licence issued under this Act. Section 4 said: Power of Central Government to exempt persons from provisions of the Act. — The Central Government may by rules made under this Act exempt any person or any class of persons from the provisions of this Act either generally or subject to prescribed conditions, or in respect of specified wireless telegraphy apparatus. India’s aversion for satellite communicators is not new. India denying permission for the use of satellite phones was a vexing issue in mountaineering. The government banned the use of these phones by civilians after it was found being used by militant groups (the laws were further tightened following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks). Mountaineering teams arriving from overseas sometimes saw their satellite phones seized; instances of phones brought in and subsequently activated on a hike or expedition provoking a hunt by authorities for the source of the signal, have also occurred. In mountaineering, the limitation the ban caused, was most felt in situations involving accident at altitude and the same requiring emergency medical response and evacuation. Without a satellite phone, people ended up running to the nearest point where conventional mobile phone signals were available. In days preceding widespread mobile phone network, members of Indian civilian teams have even rushed all the way to the nearest village or town to get news of a mountaineering mishap out. In life and death situations, every second counts. Following representations made to the government, the government allowed the use of satellite phones in mountaineering on a case-by-case basis with users adhering strictly to the regulations laid down. There is a process to be followed for the same.
However, as felt at ground level, this still falls considerably short of the needs of mountaineering and the business of adventure tourism, sources in the trade said. According to them, the government allowed select adventure tour operators – among the biggest in the business – to acquire satellite phones. Satellite phones can also be hired from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). But in practice, these devices can’t still be used in mountainous states with sensitive international borders. Thus, the phones get carried along on expeditions, for example in Uttarakhand, but it’s a completely different situation in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. “ It is a strange situation. Indians going abroad to climb or hike enjoy the access to emergency communication that devices like satellite phones provide, for there are no restrictions in most countries overseas. But people climbing the Himalaya from India – foreigners and Indian – can’t avail the device except in certain portions. Fact is – satellite phones and satellite communicators have become the norm overseas for mountaineering expeditions and hikes in remote areas. People wish to stay connected. I don’t think the Indian government will be able to adequately develop tourism in the border areas if it does not acknowledge this reality,’’ the owner of one of India’s biggest adventure tourism companies said, when contacted. It must be mentioned here that against the backdrop of satellite phones banned in India or allowed only with strict restrictions, some civilian outfits working in the outdoors, took to using personal locator beacons. These devices can dispatch a SOS signal to its associated satellite network. There is no provision for two-way communication of any sort. It simply transmits the exact location where emergency medical response / evacuation is being sought. The signals, in the case of these beacons, are picked up by the network of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – that is a major difference.
Between mountaineering’s past rendezvous with satellite phones and the recent cases of people being detained for possessing Garmin devices sporting the inReach technology, there are some differences, both as regards the device and as regards a potential solution. According to the Garmin India official this blog spoke to, the company’s inReach devices don’t allow a phone conversation via satellite. What the technology permits is messaging. For more information, he suggested that this blog reach out to the company’s headquarters. On the face of it, the recent incidents of detention in India over possessing Garmin’s inReach devices, would seem a finer interpretation of Indian law. The old stories from mountaineering concerned voice telephony; the recent instances of detention for bringing Garmin inReach devices, pertain to satellite links enabling messaging and data exchange. From what one could make out, as long as a device offers satellite communication technology for civilian use that is not permitted by Indian law, it remains a violation. The authorities can’t be faulted. Outside magazine in its piece on Tina Lewis, noted that it reached out to the public relations office of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF – they manage security at Indian airports) but got no response. It says it got no response from the Indian embassy in Washington DC either. Garmin’s website includes India in a list of 14 countries that may regulate or prohibit the use or possession of a satellite communicator. Others on the list are Afghanistan, Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Georgia (SMS), Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Russia.
For an overview of what the recent detentions meant to India’s cycling community and the navigation devices cyclists have invested in, this blog spoke to one of India’s top cyclists. According to him, in tune with the growth of cycling – and within that, performance-oriented cycling – in India, there has been a rise in the acquisition of sophisticated bike computers. In due course, cyclists themselves noticed the problems they may face in getting the devices past airport security. Consequently, there has been over time, a sharing of information among cyclists about the relevance in getting an Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for their device from the government. The document is useful when dealing with security agencies. There are also lists in circulation, which mention the devices from various manufacturers that one may possess safely in India. All this has happened through the initiative of cyclists and cycling groups; the government, this blog was told, has been hardly pro-active in keeping the cycling community informed. “ When the recent spate of detentions happened, there was fresh worry in the cycling community. This is because by Indian standards of affordability, bike computers are quite expensive. Losing one through confiscation at the airport, is a lot of money lost,’’ the cyclist explained. However, he did not think that inReach devices may have been mistakenly acquired by Indian cyclists or adventurers because its two-way messaging and SOS facilities are most sought after by solo adventurers. Indians into solo adventure pursuits, are few, he felt. His views were shared by another leading cyclist; this person, well-known in the field of ultra-cycling. “ When the news of the recent detentions appeared, it caused a flutter in the community. The problem we face is that airport security and security agencies in general, see the Garmin name on a device and instantly become suspicious instead of bothering to find out if the particular model is banned or not. The problem becomes more pronounced in border areas. The last time I was in Leh; after I finished cycling, I chose to courier my Garmin back to Mumbai,’’ he said.
Illustration: Shyam G Menon
Today’s hassles in the digital domain have a humble, yet no less accusatory, ancestor from the era of print. There was a time when civilian hikers and climbers possessing detailed contour maps of the Himalaya, were treated suspiciously by Indian security agencies. Some of that suspicion has since faded; some has merely carried over to the digital medium. As we know through human experience, in times of technology evolving fast and what is restricted today becoming accepted tomorrow, there is often a gap between law and what technology is capable of. How does one plug or bridge these gaps such that the use of technology for healthy purposes is permitted and those that aren’t so, get countered? For instance, in the Outside article on Lewis, she says that the Garmin inReach Mini, which she had, was an integral part of her travel kit and she didn’t feel the need to research before carrying it on her Indian trip because there had been no objection in the other countries she visited. Besides, as she pointed out, GPS technology is nowadays found even in watches. To develop bridges of understanding, engaging the authorities and lawmakers in conversation is essential.
This blog spoke to a retired bureaucrat who had previously served in a very senior position in the Indian government and is familiar with matters related to internal security. He suggested that if hikers, cyclists and motorcyclists wished to see such devices used, then making representations to the government – as happened in the case of mountaineering – would be the apt way out. The community of users / potential users has to discuss the matter with the government. In mountaineering, the government eventually understood the need to some extent and responded making a few concessions. For the world of hiking, cycling and running (even motorcycle touring), it may be more difficult, he said. The main catch here would be that unlike mountaineering, which is restricted to the Himalaya and the Karakorum, the locales for these activities span an entire sub-continent. There is also the challenge of users in this category being higher in number than the mountaineering community. Not to mention, in a typical mountaineering expedition, there may be a satellite phone for a whole team. It suffices. In comparison, bike computers and SOS devices with two-way messaging ability are more individually owned. Still, making representations to the government could be a beginning, he said. When contacted, a senior official of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) said that ATOAI has already taken up the matter with the government. The problem, he said, pertains mainly to Iridium-enabled devices. To fault is lack of awareness; both on the part of travellers arriving without checking whether the devices they are carrying are banned in India or not and Indian security agencies, who treat travellers suspiciously just because they have a GPS device on them. He was clear that there is no option but to be on the correct side of the law. “ Awareness is the only way out,’’ he said. A critical shortcoming in this context is that while Indian missions overseas have put out notices on the items banned, normal tourists and solo adventurers – the sort who may not be guided in their visit by an informed tour operator – have limited means of finding out which devices and models therein stand approved. This was highlighted by the leading adventure tour operator this blog spoke to as well; he said that the method of finding out what is approved should be easy. The ATOAI official said that ATOAI has asked manufacturers like Garmin for a list of devices and models therein, approved for use in India, which the association hopes to make publicly accessible via its website.
(The author, Shyam G Menon, is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
Beatrice Chebet (this photo was downloaded from the athlete’s Facebook page and is being used here for representation purpose. No copyright infringement intended)
New world record in women’s 5km road race
The world of road races closed 2024 in style with Kenyan runner Beatrice Chebet rewriting the world record for the women’s 5km race.
She clocked an impressive 13 minutes and 54 seconds at the Cursa del Nassos, a World Athletics Label road race held in Barcelona, Spain on December 31. “ In doing so, the 24-year old Kenyan bettered the previous record by 19 seconds,’’ a report on the website of World Athletics said. The new record is subject to the usual ratification process. Chebet’s achievement of December 31 makes her the first woman to go sub-14 minutes for the distance on any surface – road or track. Chebet is the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 5000m and 10,000m.
Chebet is expected in India in mid-February 2025, when she would be participating in the first edition of the SFC Global 10K in Navi Mumbai.
(The author, Shyam G Menon, is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
For our New Year page, we chose to showcase the art work of Dr Yamini Menon. A rheumatologist based in the US, she is also a runner and has contributed to this blog before.
The first image is a collage of some of her work done with acrylic paint and markers on wooden trays, boxes, plates, ceramic coasters and a piece of Christmas decoration made of plastic. The second image is a stand alone picture of a tray she painted on. About it, she wrote in: “ acrylic on wooden tray – generally I start off with a dark paint base like black or navy and add other elements as I go along; again nothing planned ahead but comes to fruition at some point. The handles and borders – made to look like woven (an attempt to) using markers.” Most of these works, she gives away as gifts.
What’s life and a New Year, without music? For some years now, we at this blog, have been fans of the Polish progressive rock band, Riverside. Click on the link below for a song, we think, is one of their finest:
(The authors, Latha Venkatraman and Shyam G Menon, are independent journalists based in Mumbai)
Outrigger 