A few moments stood out. “My niece flew in from San Francisco to surprise me at the finish line and friends from all over the US came to cheer, that was the best part.”
Hyderabad: From the chilly streets of Boston to the cheering crowds lining every mile, five runners from Hyderabad lived a dream as they participated in the world’s oldest and one of the most prestigious races, the Boston Marathon, on April 21. It was a proud moment for Hyderabad as its runners crossed the finish line at the iconic event. Battling jet lag, cold winds and months of preparation, they crossed the finish line not just with medals but also with stories they’ll never forget.
“The Boston Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s more than a race with cheering crowds creating a festival-like atmosphere,” said Satish Jayanthi, who recently completed the prestigious race. “Unlike other marathons where you loop back, Boston is a straight stretch across towns and the energy from the cheering crowds never drops. It’s electric from start to finish. I landed ten days early to beat the jet lag. On the race day, the weather was perfect, pleasant and sunny,” said Satish.
“The moment I crossed the finish line, it felt like a dream. Standing at the start line itself was emotional, knowing I was among global athletes, representing Hyderabad on such a big stage. If you dream big and work for it, age or setbacks don’t matter. That’s what this race taught me,” he added.
“Boston was a dream and I lived up to every bit of it,” said Srinivasarao Gadde, who completed the Boston Marathon and earned his Six Star Medal after months of hard work. “It was my big day and I didn’t want to take any chances. I landed early, trained in small doses, stayed disciplined with food and sleep and even avoided spicy Hyderabadi food to keep my stomach safe.”
He said the marathon’s route from Hopkinton to downtown Boston was scenic and special. “Unlike Hyderabad marathons which loop inside the city, Boston takes you through ten beautiful towns, past woods and lakes and the crowd never stops cheering. At times it felt like running through a forest. More than 90 per cent of the 42 kilometers were lined with people, playing guitars, jazz, and even handing out food and water. It’s an experience in itself,” he marveled.
A few moments stood out. “My niece flew in from San Francisco to surprise me at the finish line and friends from all over the US came to cheer, that was the best part,” added Srinivasarao.
Manoj Gupta, who completed the Boston Marathon alongside his wife and earned the prestigious six-star medal, having run all six World Major Marathons, said, “From the first to the 42nd kilometre, there wasn’t a single stretch without cheering crowds. Families lined up with oranges, water, even sunblock, anything to help the runners. What makes Boston unique is the rolling hills, especially the infamous Heartbreak Hill around the 33rd kilometer. It’s tough, but the adrenaline and crowd support push you through.”
“I didn’t run this one for a personal best. Boston is about soaking in the experience. It’s not just about pace, it’s about passion. Boston is a celebration, a 129-year-old ritual. It’s not just a marathon, it’s magic,” he added.
Boston wasn’t just a race, it felt like the whole city was throwing a festival for runners,” shared Sangita Gupta, who ran the Boston Marathon alongside her husband Manoj Gupta. “From the moment we landed, the city’s energy was infectious. Everyone, locals, students and tourists were out on the streets, cheering, picnicking, and handing out snacks and even sunscreen. The marathon coincides with Patriot’s Day, so the entire city takes part. It felt like we were part of something historic,” she said.
The run came with its own set of challenges, especially for Sangita, who got her period just a day before race day. “This was my third consecutive marathon during my cycle. It used to feel like a mental and physical setback, but I think I’ve crossed that mental block now. I stayed hydrated, took a break to change mid-run for the first time and actually felt stronger. It taught me a lot about listening to my body,” she added.
The weather on race day was just perfect, probably the best in recent years,” said Kiranmai Kondaveeti. “Early in the morning, we wore two layers to stay warm at the starting line, but as the race began, we had to take them off because it turned out to be a beautiful day. Throughout the 42 kilometers, the crowd support was simply incredible. In the final half-kilometer, when I was completely drained, hearing my daughter call out my name from the sidelines gave me the strength to push through and finish strong,” she explained.
