Jun

15

Dr. Ashis Roy - India’s marathon man

June 15, 2007 posted by indiatime |

ashis_royAshis Roy, a 75-year young Indian doctor from New Delhi recently completed his 77th 26-mile maraton. Dr. Roy started participating in marathons when he was 52. Since then, he has run 77 marathons in 21 countries in 23 years, once completing 3 marathons over 3 successive weekends.

While most Indians less than half his age can be seen with physical lethargy unbecoming of a human being, Ashis Roy can beat the sweltering heat and humidity in any continent and complete the most daunting physical and mental challenge that is beyond the capability of most human beings. While most Indian policemen one-third his age can hardly run a few feet behind running mobs, Ashis Roy has now officially run more than 200 miles in his marathon effort. While most cigarette-toting Indian youth one-fourth his age can barely reach a destination without hopping onto a two-wheeler, Ashis Roy can still smoke them if they were to race him one-to-one.

Years ago, I myself completed the New York marathon twice in three years. It was a long arduous course that tested every ounce of mental and bodily strength I had, and I barely managed to keep myself standing on my two feet when I somehow crossed the finish line. Only three Indians participated in the NY marathon that year, and I was privileged to be one of those three. I know how hard it is, how painful it can get.

If you want to congratulate this marathon man of India, please do write to him at ashisroy32@yahoo.com. And please don’t forget to tell him that he makes India proud.


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6 Comments so far

  1. BananaBoy on June 20, 2007 6:28 pm

    All marathons are 26.2 miles, you dont have to restate he did a marathon of 26 miles. That is like me saying I have a 1 foot banana of 12 inches.

  2. A.Venugopalan on June 12, 2008 11:44 am

    I beg your pardon you have robbed one vital zero after 2 in his total mileage! Confident that the Indian Cop wouldn’t run n catch you!! Huh!!!

  3. Hrishikesh on July 27, 2008 11:36 pm

    So the comments so far revolved around the controversy regarding distance. Why dont we look towards the positive side- inspirational side of the article. Well done “young” old man. Make it 100 marathons.

  4. Ram Katikineni on June 20, 2009 11:21 am

    Dr. Roy:
    Congrajulations and I am really proud and inspired by you when i met you in one of the marathon in USA, Washington DC in 2006/07.
    Actually i was standing next you behind all the participants (back of the pack) and had a brief conversation until the race started. I still remember your encouraging words to run. Now i have returned to India (Aug. 08) living in Hyderabad. Now i still keep running which keeps me healthy and happy.
    My name is Ram Katikineni, 51 Yrs. old, completed 8 martahons in USA, 2 half marathons in Hyderabad last year and yet to completed my first full marathon in India.

    Regards,
    Ram

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  6. buntybarthwal on May 20, 2010 3:43 pm

    sir.i am a great fan of urs from 1994 when i started running as a hobby. now it is my passion to run everyday atleast 7 km. i am looking forward to meeting u, if u plz. thanks to ur untiring zeal and enthusiasm that all indian who are crazy like me for running are proud of u, and basking in ur glorry at the world stage. live long sir to destroy all the record of running till u breath. hats off to ur marathon effort which make us proud in our own eyes.

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