Ahmedabad/Dindori, March 1: Two runners from Surat have brought pride to their city by successfully completing India’s longest single-trail marathon in Dindori, Maharashtra. Among the four participants from Surat, Dinesh Patel from Magdalla and Arpan Jhala from Jahangirpura finished the grueling 161-kilometer race in an impressive 29 hours and 15 minutes.
The marathon, organized by the Blue Brigade Sports Foundation at Sahyadri Farm in Mohadi village, Dindori Taluka, Nashik district, featured multiple categories. Participants had to complete 338 km within 72 hours, 220 km within 48 hours, 161 km within 30 hours, 100 km within 20 hours, 75 km within 14 hours, and 50 km within 8 hours. Competing in the 161-km category, Patel and Jhala managed to complete the challenge well within the stipulated time.
Dinesh Patel, an orthopedic implant businessman from Magdalla, expressed his excitement about the experience. He highlighted the intense physical and mental endurance required to complete the race, which featured national and international athletes. Runners had to manage food, hydration, and other necessities while continuously moving. Patel recalled that the race, which began on February 9 at 9 AM, started with a pleasant temperature of 24°C but soared to a scorching 40°C by midday, testing their resilience in extreme heat.
Arpan Jhala shared insights into the "Vineyard Ultra Marathon," where an advanced GPS-based tracking system monitored runners in real-time, providing live updates on a web portal. He emphasized the importance of strategy and training in successfully completing such an intense endurance race.
Coach Tejalbhai Lalitbhai Modi, who played a pivotal role in training the athletes, noted that 70% of the marathon route consisted of dusty rural roads, while the remaining 30% covered paved surfaces. He explained that running in such conditions, especially amidst fruit and vegetable farms in extreme temperatures, required exceptional physical fitness and determination. Modi has been running the "Running for Happiness Group" since 2017, with over 200 regular participants, including 60 women. The group conducts weekly long runs from SVR to Dumas every Saturday, encouraging young athletes to participate in ultra-marathons and trail races without any coaching fees.
Highlighting the benefits of long-distance running, Modi explained that it improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and joints, reduces stress by releasing endorphins, and helps in managing diabetes. He credited the success of Patel and Jhala to the dedicated support team, which included Megha Modi, Meghna Jhala, Manan Jhala, Smita Patel, Nimisha Bodawala, and Aarav Patel.
Trail running, a challenging endurance sport, involves running on dirt paths, forest trails, mountainous terrain, and rocky landscapes. It offers a chance to connect with nature while building agility, stability, balance, and strength. The growing popularity of trail running in Maharashtra has also seen increasing participation from Gujarati athletes. This marathon aligns with the central government’s "Fit India" campaign, promoting fitness, endurance, and outdoor sports among the youth.
