Sixty-year Old From India Displays Resilience Again At NYC Marathon

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Ramanjit Singh Oberoi, 60, who took part in the Boston Marathon this April, showed his metal again in the New York City Marathon held Nov. 3.

The NYC Marathon, the largest such event in the world, was sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services. Held annually on the first Sunday of November, it includes over 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to runners of all ages and abilities, including more than 9,000 charity runners, and participants from over 125 countries.

Oberoi was one of approximately 60 participants from India, including 8 women who joined the 26.2 mile run.

“More than 100 Indians participated in this marathon and they completed successfully,” said Hervender P. Singh, who is a friend of Oberoi and was present at the event to congratulate him on finishing. “One Anubhav Karmarkar aged 32 clocked 2.40 minutes which is superb time,” Singh said.

Oberoi has an impressive record or running in marathons over the past four years or so. He completed 28 half marathons of 21 kms each, some in challenging conditions, for example along the steps of Khumbalgarh Fort (2^nd only to The Great wall of China), in the rarified atmosphere of Ladakh, and in the hills of Shimla.

He has run three full marathons of 42 kms each, in Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur, with his best timing being 3 hours and 42 minutes.

That is not all. He participated in two Ultras, which are longer than full marathons. The first one was of 50 kms in the Arravali Hills, followed just three days later, with the Mumbai Ultra, a 5 AM to 5 PM, 12-hour run, covering a distance of 100 kms. He also ran a 50 kms Ultra in tough conditions of the Thar Desert, a press release given to News India Times during his Boston Marathon in April.

Since then, Oberoi participated in August this year in the Mumbai Ultra, and in September in the Berlin Marathon.

“Next year he is in line for  Great wall of China, Dubai , Chicago & Khardhungla Ultra in Leh comprising of 78 kms & one of the toughest ultras,” Singh said, adding, “I was also there to cheer  my Indian participants specially every Indian waved hand or hi-fived to me with a smile specially people visiting from India.”

Oberoi’s love of running developed at the age of 55.

“I discovered running rather late in life when most people are slowing down. But I saw how it made me feel – and I could not give it up. I feel free and doubly alive – when I am on the road, in the hills, and I start singing. It’s the most enjoyable part of my life,” Oberoi told News India Times after the Boston Marathon.