Age Is Not a Barrier as 28K Marathoners Hit Hyderabad Roads

Hyderabad: Cheers filled the pre-dawn air on Sunday as thousands of runners hit the streets for the NMDC Marathon, featuring the 10K, half marathon, and full marathon. Runners cheered for each other, and even those visibly exhausted pushed through to the finish line — not to win, but to complete what they had started.

The marathon route stretched across some of Hyderabad’s key landmarks, taking runners through Necklace Road, several flyovers, Durgam Cheruvu, and testing terrains before finishing at the Gachibowli Stadium.

Among the most inspiring stories was that of 83-year-old Ramesh Ashturkar, the oldest participant, who completed the 10K. This marked his 51st distance run. “Running has kept me younger than my age. If you believe in yourself, your legs will never fail you. I run not to compete, but to live,” he said.

Adding to the day’s inspiration was 74-year-old Nagabhusana Rao, who finished the full 42.195 km marathon in 4 hours and 45 minutes, marking his 18th marathon finish. “Age is no barrier when you run with your heart. Every step keeps me alive and happy,” he said. His advice was simple but powerful: keep your body moving every day in some form of physical activity, and eat natural food that fuels rather than burdens you.

For younger runners, the day brought new milestones. Vaishnav Kota completed his first marathon, overcoming his own doubts. “I didn’t get enough practice and thought I might not finish. It was smooth until 30 km, but the last 10–12 km felt like another half marathon. I almost gave up, but crossing that line was the happiest moment of my life,” he said.

Consistency shone through in the words of regular marathoner Sunder Goud, who remarked with humility: “Every marathon is different, every finish line a new lesson. What matters is showing up and running your heart out.”

The event also saw enthusiastic participation from outside Hyderabad. A group from Satara, Maharashtra, ran their first marathon in the city. “The tough terrain tested us, but the scenic stretch around Durgam Cheruvu made it worth it,” they said.

Avinash Sutar echoed the sentiment: “This city’s route was tough, but that’s what gave us strength. The climbs pushed us beyond our comfort zones, and crossing the finish line felt like unlocking a new level of potential. Running shows you what you’re truly capable of.”

Kancheti Srinivas from Vizag said, “Every marathon teaches you something new, no matter how many you’ve run. Hyderabad’s course, with its steep flyovers and tough stretches, challenges you in ways you don’t expect.”

Runners from overseas added a global touch. A trio running the half marathon included Nathan from England, who said, “The Hyderabad terrain was challenging but the crowd support was incredible. It kept me going.” Sundar K. from Singapore added, “Hyderabad’s route was not easy, but the energy here is unmatched.” Srikanth from Hyderabad, part of the trio, said, “Running here is a test of endurance, but the finish makes it special.”

With 28,300 participants — from first-timers to seasoned runners — every runner carried home a story.