A Mumbai Police constable will be part of a group of nearly 70 people who will join Rajasthan-based runner Sufiya Khan on her Ultra Marathon from Kashmir to Kanyakumari next week.
Ms. Khan, who began from Srinagar on April 21 this year, aims to cover the 4,000-km distance in 85 days. Passing through Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Ms. Khan will be reaching Maharashtra next week.
Police constable Shashikant Gangawane, who is posted at the Mumbai Police Headquarters, said he has been a dedicated runner for the past one-and-a-half years and cannot wait to be part of the attempt.
“I took up running to reduce weight as just dieting was not helping. I started practising running and also maintained my diet, consuming only carbohydrates and proteins in the day and salad in the night. Today, I run at least 10 to 20 km every day despite the demands of my job,” Mr. Gangawane said.
‘Big difference’
Ms. Khan will reach Thane on June 17, where she will stay overnight and then set off towards Navi Mumbai on June 18. Mr. Gangawane, along with his group, the Furious Running group, will join her at Vashi and run with her till Panvel, around 21 km away.
Mr. Gangawane said the difference that running has made in his life has been tremendous and everyone around him has started commenting on how fit he now looks. Another member of the group, Madhuri Shetty, has been running since June 2018. Ms. Shetty took up running as a fitness habit and has not looked back.
“I take care to maintain a balanced diet with a low sugar intake. My running has also inspired my daughter to take it up,” Ms. Shetty said.
Titled HOPE, Ms. Khan’s ultra marathon is aimed at achieving several goals together, including travelling through the country, meeting likeminded people and encouraging them to be part of the change.