Mumbai: Breaking the stereotypes, women (all above 50-years-old) at Kandivali’s Runners Academy, founded by Kaushik Panchal, have transformed themselves to become professional marathon runners against all odds.
They have not only broken the image of middle-aged Indian women but also inspired others to follow suit.
Starting their professional careers in their 50s, Bindu Panchal (53), Mahashweta Dubey (53), Savita Bangera (50), and others take part in various marathons, including the so-called challenging ones like upcoming Leh Marathon, on September 10 and Satara Hill Marathon, on September 2.
“I want to encourage other women to challenge themselves”
Mahshweta Dubey, 53, Senior Vice President of Sony Entertainment, started her marathon journey 7 years ago. Despite being an asthmatic patient, she has been training rigorously for the Leh Marathon.
"My asthma improved after I started running regularly. I've participated in around 25 marathons ranging from 10 to 21 km. Now, I'm preparing for the Leh marathon, which involves elevation training. It's my first time participating in the Leh marathon, and I've been training for almost 8 months. My family, including my 20-year-old son, is supportive and proud of me. I want to encourage other women to challenge themselves. Your health is your responsibility, and health is wealth. Indian women tend to forget about their own lives while focusing on their children. They should also take care of themselves and care about how they look," said Dubey.
"Running completely transformed my life”
Another participant, Bindu Panchal, 53, deals with thalassemia. She will be participating in the 21 km Satara Hill Marathon. Apart from being a runner, she's also a marathon coach and a homemaker. She started her athletic journey in 2015 and has participated in 6 marathons of 23 km each. Following her enrollment in the Runners Academy, she adopted a disciplined lifestyle. She wakes up at 4 am every day, prepares breakfast, and is on the ground by 6 am. She has participated in the Satara Hill Marathon 5 times, as well as in other marathons in states such as Mumbai, Jaipur, Kuchh salt, and Kolkata. She expressed, "Running completely transformed my life. I've participated in two Ultra marathons, 8 full marathons, and several half marathons. I've even done a 12-hour non-stop stadium run 6 times. Now, I'm coaching as well. I used to be a homemaker and felt I hadn't achieved much. Running changed that, and now I lead a more disciplined life. Rain or shine, I'm out there on the ground. Each year, I feel and look younger."
“My life is much more disciplined now,” says Bangera
Savita Bangera, 50, a fashion hairstylist dealing with ankylosing spondylitis, a medical condition, started her marathon journey in 2015. She started running on her doctor's advice, but it has now become her passion. Despite having two kids, she manages her family responsibilities, hairstylist career, and marathon running career effectively. She wakes up at 4 am every day to prepare meals before hitting the ground. She has completed two 42 km full marathons and a 12-hour non-stop stadium run. She is currently preparing for the 21 km Leh Marathon. She shared, "My family is incredibly supportive. Since I started running, I've left behind kitty parties and gossip. My life is much more disciplined now. I've even stopped watching TV. I want to tell other women not to focus on age; menopause is a mindset. Start with small physical activities. Initially, there might be pain, but eventually, you won't feel a thing."
In a country like India where stereotypes are being challenged every now and then, these women are not just redefining what it means to stay physically active as they age, but they're also changing perceptions about age, gender, and athletic accomplishments. Their stories remind us that with determination, passion, and a supportive community, we can overcome any obstacle and rewrite our own stories of success.
