Meet the marathon man of Chennai

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P. Sundar works for an airline company but his heart is always on the ground. He is head over heels in love with running.

The 28-year-old Nanganallur resident pursues excellence in a field that is not for the fainthearted: ultra marathon. Ultra means an extreme degree and in Sundar's case it is running 75 kilometres in a race at a stretch.

Sundar is over the moon now. Justifiably so. He won the 5th Bengaluru Ultra Marathon on Sunday in record time. “I completed the challenging course in eight hours, 23 minutes and 21 seconds.

The previous record stood at 8:56. Having finished second in the same event last year at 9:22, I was determined to go all the way in 2011. I'm thrilled that I have succeeded in my mission,” the ultra champion said.

Passion and perseverance were the familiar ingredients Sundar mixed to whip up the cocktail of success. Even his email id is prefixed by 'run' and he explained the sweat behind his sweet victory.

“The first place was a reward for eight months of intense training. 'Early to bed and early to run' is my motto. After getting up at 4.30 am every day, I run about 20kms. I go for 30kms during weekends,” the Sri Lankan Airlines employee said.

Amateurism is only a romantic notion in sports these days but the Bengaluru Ultra Marathon is growing in stature every year, even though it doesn't offer any prize money for the winners.

People of all ages flock the event, seeking the thrill in completing an arduous journey. Sundar, too, is an amateur. In addition, he had never played any sport seriously in his college and school days.
“I was happy sitting at the stands,” he laughed.

Body fat, and not burning passion, got him into running. “I desperately wanted to shed a few kilos in my early twenties and running was a natural choice.

Excited by the pleasure I derived from hitting the road every day, I ventured to take part in a half-marathon in 2006. It was a reality check because I huffed and puffed to finish the course. Undaunted, I moved a step up the next year to complete a full marathon,” Sundar said.

His full marathon count is 13 now, the latest being an event in Hyderabad last month. Sundar is improving all the time thanks to his work ethic. It is not easy to shave off an hour at any level in one year. Sundar was able to bring down his ultra timing in Bengaluru from 9:22 to 8:23 in 365 days. It is no mean achievement.

Sundar's inspiration is octogenarian John Devasirvadam, a regular in senior meets. “I have seen him train with passion and energy at the Nehru Stadium. Mr Devasi-rvadam is a role model for many athletes,” he said.

Sundar trains at the Nehru Stadium and YMCA alternately. He is indebted to trainer Sudhakar for his guidance on physiological matters and Afsal for his psychological inputs. Sudhakar played a key role in the success of Chennai Spikers in the inaugural Indian Volley League earlier this year.

Running is an integral part of Sundar's life now. He has already charted his course for the next couple of years. “In 2012, I want to win the 100km title in record time at the Bengaluru Ultra Marathon. I would have a crack at the 89-km Comrades Marathon in South Africa in 2013. My dream is to make a mark among Indian runners in the world famous race,” Sundar said.

Czech Olympic legend Emil Zatopek said: “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”

Sundar believes in the words of Zatopek, who won the marathon on his debut at the 1952 Olympics. “Long-distance running has improved my confidence and concentration, besides showering me with benefits on the physical side,” Sundar said.