Every Finish Line, A New Beginning 8K Runners Light Up NMDC Marathon
Over 8,000 runners join the curtain-raiser as marathon gears up for record 28,000 participants on August 24.
Hyderabad: It wasn’t just about the distance or the finish line at the NMDC Marathon’s 5K run in Hyderabad on Saturday — it was about stories of courage, hope and determination. More than 8,000 runners, each carrying their own journey, came together to show that our determination can overcome any barrier.
The crowd was a colourful mix: little children running with curiosity, teenagers bursting with energy, mothers proving passion doesn’t end after parenthood and seniors showing that age is just a number. The air was filled with cheers, smiles and the sound of thousands of feet on the track, turning the event into a festival rather than just a run.
Among the inspiring stories was that of Santhosh Medipally, a software professional and double amputee who lost his legs in a train accident. Though he cannot run in the usual sense, Santhosh participates by fast walking. “I lost both my legs in a train accident and for a moment, it felt like my life had ended. But when I got my artificial limbs, I saw it as a rebirth. Challenges are not the end, they are new beginnings,” he said. “Marathons are my way of showing people that with resilience, support and modern technology, nothing is impossible. If my journey can inspire even one person to stand up and move forward, I feel I have achieved something meaningful.”
Children with autism brought infectious energy to the run. Sai Charan Tej, 13, said, “I felt so happy crossing the finish line today. Running the 5K gave me so much energy and now I want to try a bigger distance.” For Naina Soni, 15, running was as joyful as dancing. “Dancing makes my heart sing and running makes my heart race. I enjoy both,” she said. Vishnu Bhat, 16, added, “Being part of this run showed me I can push my limits. I want to keep running to prove to myself that I can go further.”
The event also celebrated runners who returned to the sport after life-changing events. Akanksha Khushalani, a mother, spoke of balancing motherhood with passion. “After my second child, I laced up again. Motherhood doesn’t mean giving up dreams — it gives you more reason to chase them. When you follow your passion, you set the strongest example for your children,” she said.
Echoing her, Ramani Adudumalli, a mother of two, said, “After marriage and kids, responsibilities grew and the me-time I had disappeared. Running became my stress-buster, giving me space for myself. Don’t lose yourself in family responsibilities. Make time for passions, because when you take care of yourself, you become stronger for your family.”
Siblings Aryan Dubey, 10, and Varnika Dubey, 13, found joy in running together. “This was my first official run and I am so happy I finished it in 40 minutes,” Aryan said. Varnika added, “Doing it with my brother made it even more special. Running is not just about finishing fast, but about enjoying the journey and supporting each other.”
For older participants, the event was proof that age is no barrier. Deepam Morparia, 60, returning after an accident, shared his advice: “Age slows you, but it should never stop you. Start slow, don’t worry about timing, build steadily. Consistency is the key.”
Adding colour was 61-year-old Gangadhar Panday, president of Babul NGO, who dressed as Superman to spread an environmental message. Though his outfit allowed him to cover only 1 km, he cheerfully completed it. “Every step I took was to spread one strong message — say no to single-use plastics, save the planet,” he said.
From children running their first race to seniors restarting their journeys, the marathon carried one message: passion has no age, and every finish line can be a new beginning. On Sunday, the spirit will grow even bigger with the 10K, half-marathon and full marathon.