SRT Ultra: The Race Against Time

One of the toughest marathons in India is the Sinhagad–Rajgad–Torna Ultra Marathon (53 km).

This year’s marathon was very important to me because I had failed to complete it the previous two times due to cramps in my legs. I had to quit midway. That defeat kept hurting somewhere deep inside. So this year, I decided to participate with full preparation.

A good runner I know, Brahma Sir, suggested that I join the Powerful Ultra Runner group and gave me the contact of Coach Anant Kachare. After speaking with Anant Sir, I immediately started training under him. After a year of consistent practice, Sir completed all our registrations properly.

Race day arrived. We all reached the starting point. Before the race began, we stocked up on all essentials. Vitthal Sir conducted our warm-up, and Dr. Ashish Sir motivated us with energetic chants. A year of practice gave me confidence that I could finish the race, yet somewhere inside there was fear—what if I couldn’t?

The flag-off happened, and the race began. I started slowly, running easy, and reached the base of Sinhagad. As planned with Anant Sir, I completed the stretch from Golewadi to Sinhagad in 1 hour and 20 minutes. The first stage was successful.

After descending through Kalyan Darwaza, the stretch up to Vinzar was all hill running. Based on my past experience, I decided not to rush, as I had previously lost too much energy in this section. This time, I maintained an easy pace and crossed the mountainous terrain smoothly.

While descending from Nagphani, Kiran Patil (KP) from our group lost balance and fell. I called out to him, but fortunately, he managed to steady himself and wasn’t injured. I ran with him for a while. He took out a mosambi from his bag that had dirt on it from the fall, and we happily shared it anyway.

At Vinzar village, I refilled water and ate some fruits. Next was 9 km of road running. By then, my group had gone ahead, but I stuck to my pace, conserving energy. After 4–5 km, Anant Sir met me. He was surprised I was behind but said I still had energy and didn’t look tired. That boosted my morale. We had two cans of Red Bull and he told me to keep eating while running and move ahead, as he would bring the others along.

I reached Gunjaavne, the base of Rajgad, at 10:55 a.m.—just 35 minutes before the cut-off. Without wasting time, I refilled water, ate an orange, and continued. While climbing Rajgad, pain started above my knees. The cramps became unbearable and I sat down. Sir immediately told me not to sit and to keep walking. I got up, took an energy gel, sipped water, and continued. The cramps returned, but Sir again didn’t let me sit. He encouraged me forward and gave me a cheese cube on the way.

I reached the plateau (Sadar) and went towards Suvela Machi to get the stamp, then returned. My water was finished. I stopped to refill and decided to eat some dry fruits, but as soon as I took out dates, a monkey snatched them away! I angrily shouted, but it was useless. Sir just smiled and said, “No stopping until Bhutonde Khind.”

At the base earlier, if I hadn’t met Anant Sir, I would have been completely demoralized. I truly experienced what a real trainer does—supporting you in your toughest moments.

I reached Bhutonde Khind at 1:45 p.m.—just 15 minutes before the cut-off! I refilled water, changed socks, and moved ahead. Now there were no more cut-offs. Sir told me we had to complete 19 km in 4 hours. I felt relieved and picked up my pace.

Someone said at 3:15 p.m. that only 14 km remained—meaning 5 km per hour. That sounded achievable. But then came the steep Ranatondi climb below Budhla Machi of Torna. It almost broke me. I avoided looking up and climbed step by step. After the iron ladder, I met Deepak Sir and had some buttermilk, which refreshed me.

Near the main Torna gate, I sat down out of exhaustion. I checked my bag—only one energy gel, two Fast&Up tablets, a slice of lemon, and some salt remained. I consumed everything and began descending. The narrow path and crowd slowed me down.

At 4:50 p.m., I reached Torna parking. I drank a glass of water, finished the leftover sarbat, ate a banana, and had lemon with salt. Volunteers said I had only 70 minutes left to complete 9 km.

I had no strength left in my legs, but I pushed myself forward. Slipping, stumbling, supporting myself with a stick, I kept going. Finally, the descent ended and the flat road began. Relief!

Someone said only 1.3 km remained—but the U-turn wouldn’t appear. Eventually, my friend Shrihari shouted, “You’ve won, brother! Just a little more!” I reached the U-turn, got the stamp, and was told 3 km remained. My morale dropped—but I couldn’t stop.

I told my fellow runner Adesh I would run 5 minutes and then walk, as that was all I could manage. Then I remembered the year of sacrifices, injuries, discipline, and perseverance. This was the ultimate test. If I didn’t run now, I would lose.

My mind refused to give up, even though my body was exhausted. I decided—even if my legs break, I won’t stop. I ran at full speed, forgetting all pain. At one corner, a volunteer shouted, “Only 200 meters left!” I practically danced to the finish line.

I had completed the last 3 km in just 15 minutes! I don’t know where that strength came from.

Surabhi shouted that they had been waiting for me. Girija Ma’am and Ashish Sir had supported my wife Neelima while I approached the finish. Seeing Neelima, I hugged her with joy.

I completed the tough 53 km ultra marathon in 11 hours and 46 minutes—just 14 minutes before the final cut-off. That’s why this race was truly a “Race Against Time” for me. I reached every checkpoint just before the cut-off.

When Sir arrived, I ran and hugged him. I thanked him sincerely—this was possible because of him.

For the past two years, I had DNF (Did Not Finish). Cramps would stop me around 34 km. But this year, with proper guidance and focused effort, I worked on myself. This race gave me a new confidence—I had become an Ultra Runner.

All this was possible because of our Powerful Ultra Runner group and my fitness coach, Anant Sir. Our mutual trust, friendship, and constant support from training to race completion made the difference.

During this year, I met many new people, shared experiences, learned from mistakes, and went on new treks. I learned a lot.

None of this would have been possible without my wife, Neelima’s selfless support. She woke up at 2, 3, or 4 a.m., disturbed her and our son Abhimanyu’s sleep, managed my diet, time, and rest. Sometimes she complained I didn’t give enough time; sometimes she silently worried until I returned from treks. Her support became my greatest strength. And yes—she herself completed the 25 km Sinhagad to Rajgad race!

My friend Kedar was always ready to help, dropping me for treks without hesitation. Thank you, Kedar.

Many people had expectations from me because everyone had helped in their own way. Today, I am proud that I lived up to those expectations.

In the end, I would just say:
Dreams come true only for those
Who truly live their dreamsy
Wings alone don’t make you fly
It is courage that gives you wings.

Yours,
Shivaji Jadhav