Mumbai Ultra Marathon, 2025 – The 12 Hour Run.

The Mumbai Ultra Marathon, a unique 100% charity event to raise fund for the Pediatric Cancer patients under treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai is being scheduled on 15^th. & 17^th. August, 2025.

It has been considered that, every race longer than the traditional marathon distance of 42.195 km as an ‘Ultra-Marathon’. But this Ultra-Marathon is unique, since it is benchmarked by TIME – 12 HOURS. Most participants do not run a marathon to win. More important for most runners is their personal finishing time and their placement within their specific gender and age group, though some runners just want to finish. A goal many runners aim for is to break certain time barriers. For example, recreational first-timers often try to run the marathon under four hours; more competitive runners may attempt to finish under three hours. Other benchmarks are the qualifying times for major marathons.

The marathon training program itself would suppose variation between hard and easy training, with a periodisation of the general plan. Many marathon runners also “carbo-load” (increase carbohydrate intake while holding total caloric intake constant) during the week before the marathon to allow their bodies to store more glycogen.

Participation in marathons has dramatically increased over the last few years. Marathon running has many proven beneficial effects, especially on cardiovascular health and fitness. Marathon runners show a distinct personality and highly characteristic personality traits needed to successfully finish such a demanding race, i.e., a strong sense of vigor, self-sufficiency, and intelligence as well as low scores in anger, fatigue, tension, and depression.

Type Of Runners In A Marathon –

1. The Huffer and Puffer – one who is a heavy breather, and usually groans while running. It reaffirms one’s dedication and motivation to run and complete the race!

• The Groupie – One who loves running in groups, more specifically with friends or family, termed as an absolutely groupie!

• The Music Fan – One who cannot run without plugging earphones. Music generates the adrenaline kick to compete. One just has to listen to music, while cruising during the marathon!

• The Regular Rester – The mid run snacks and drinks, provided motivates more than the thought of winning the race, found at one of the break counters!

• The Conqueror – One is in the race with just to win it. Nothing motivates more than the act of finishing the race at the top spot and picking up that winner’s medal!

• The Fine Wines – A role model for all young runners; fitter than the younger ones! One remains motivated throughout the run and don’t need any excuses for not completing it.

• The Finisher – Someone who is running, aspires to finish the race! because, participation matters more than winning. No matter what race one take part, always strives to finish it!

• The Poser – One who love posing for the cameras while running, with the cute looks, making sure to obtain the best pictures snapped even amidst the huffing and puffing during the race!

Whatever kind of runner someone is, should always remember, that the obsession for running is an obsession with more life!

Maverick News, the Digital Partner for this “2025 – Embodied celebration for humanity” has interacted with Runners, who are associated with this noble cause, to validate the full spectrum of human emotions, from joy to sorrow, and recognising their role in the human experience, along with fostering understanding and respect between individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and identities.

SATISH GUJARAN – Brand Ambassador:

“I am honoured to be the official Brand Ambassador for Mumbai Ultra 2025. However, in my eyes, each one of you spreading the message that “Childhood Cancer is Curable” by registering for this great cause is an Ambassador for this incredible 12-hour Ultra Run. Celebrate the Independence Day like a soldier by running for the treatment of these little warriors. This event is a fantastic way to adulate the society, whether you run solo for 12 hours or participate in a team relay with your team of three or come to support the runners”.

An appeal to my beloved running friends:

All of us have run 1000 plus kms during our practice to run different ultra-marathons. Here we have a chance to run for children battling cancer, who fight their toughest ultra-race every single day for 18 to 24 months till get well

By participating in the Mumbai Ultra, you’re not just clocking miles.  You’re creating awareness, building a movement, and inspiring others to join hands in support of our little children. We often travel the world chasing finish lines…

We run for fitness, for medals, for joy. But just one day in a year let us run for something bigger. Run for hope, run for humanity run to Save Life. Let this be the day you feel the true power of running. The kind that brings you inner happiness and silent blessings from hearts you may never meet.

Every step you take is a silent prayer…. I run this every year and I encourage everyone to experience it.

Why I Run the Mumbai Ultra And Why You Should Too –

“The Mumbai Ultra is more than just a run. Organised by the runners, for the runners, this event is a heartfelt movement to raise funds and support children battling pediatric cancer.

A message that says: You’re not alone. We’re running for you. This isn’t about podiums or personal bests. There’s no pressure, no first or last place, just you, your spirit, and your purpose.

You can run any distance. You can run anytime within the 12 hours. Challenge yourself… or simply be a part of something deeply meaningful.

It’s one of the few events where your heart transcends far ahead the finish line, even much earlier your feet do.

At the end of the day, the satisfaction comes not from a medal, but from knowing you’ve helped save a life. That’s the true power of running.

We make a living by what we get…, But we make a life by what we give. Come, run the Mumbai Ultra; For the joy of giving… and the blessing of being able to”.

Mr. Satish Gujaran is proudly associated since the first edition of the Mumbai Ultra 12-hour run being held in 2014.

CORINA Van DAM:

Corina Van Dam, popularly known as Cocky, was born & raised in the Netherlands, where she has received training as a sports coach. She has worked for 20 years in mental health, using sport as a tool for personal change, and the treatment of people with psychiatric and personality disorders.

Corina Van Dam, popularly known as Cocky, was born & raised in the Netherlands, where she has received training as a sports coach. She has worked for 20 years in mental health, using sport as a tool for personal change, and the treatment of people with psychiatric and personality disorders.

While speaking to Maverick News, she reaffirmed that, “My friend Anuradha Venkat, who had pushed me into Ultra Running told me to register in 2018. Quite successfully that year I won the Mumbai Road Runners award, and was adjudged as ‘Ultra Runner of the year’. I have participated in 2019, 2024, and now preparing for this year’s edition”. It was extremely interesting to know that Anuradha who lives in Chandigarh now, comes to Mumbai for this event.

The previous experience –

“It is an event that is close to my heart. Running an ultra in the heart of the city on Independence Day is a unique experience. The support is great as the hydration points are managed by running groups: our friends! With every round that we run, the city changes. The morning turns into the afternoon, finally the annual cycling race starts and in the afternoon the families come out for a stroll. Many a time, I have been offered juice or biscuits by strangers who are in awe of what we are doing. That we support a good cause makes it extra special”.

Suggestions for improvising the event –

“The event is always well organised with excellent food, physiotherapy, a unique medal. I hope that we can go back to running along Sea face. It’s a longer loop, with a breeze (somehow it rarely rains during the day…!) with less traffic and less concrete. I hope that the city is ready to let walkers and runners enjoy whatever view is left of the sea…!”

Message to send –

“This year’s theme for Independents Day is ‘Honouring Freedom, Inspiring The Future’. Too often girls and women think that sport is a place where they don’t belong. I want to show them that this is not true. On this day where we celebrate the nation and unity, I want to let girls and women know that they belong and inspire them to take up sport or fitness”.

DANIEL VAZ – The Marathoner:

A certified fitness professional by the NSCA, USA, along with being Nike India Coach since 2008, is been in the running game for 29 years. A friend inspired him to participate in the 1996 Pune Marathon; since then, haven’t looked back…

He had been the Race Director for the event in 2019, and then post Pandemic, again in the year 2024. This year too he will direct the race.

This event is loved by the running fraternity because it is –

FOR the runners,

OF the runners, and

BY the runners.

It’s entirely non-commercial and on the contrary, philanthropic in nature.

What runners love most is that it is TIME BASED i.e., 12 hours as against saying 80 or 100 kms. This allows runners to run at any pace (there are many who walk the whole 12 hours) and finish the event

Suggestions for improvising the event –

Mr. Daniel Vaz said, “My take is that it gives more to runners than it takes. There is an entire medical tent where doctors and physiotherapists monitor BP, heart rate and attend to musculoskeletal problems for every runner. This is hardly seen in most Ultras in the country. It is a low budget race but gives more to runners because volunteers have their heart in their work”.

Message to be conveyed across –

“This event is perfect for encouraging change in lifestyle for many people moving from couch to their first 6 hour walk. It’s also a place where adoring ultra-runners get to understand their capacity to take on other ultra-races because this race is non-judgmental in nature. In that, the event doesn’t focus on how much distance you covered but rather, how long you stayed on your feet”.

Following the Ultra-Marathon on 15^th. August, 2025, Mumbai Ultra Blood Donation Drive is scheduled across SIX (06) places in Mumbai; Greater Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai locations from 08.00 AM to 08.00 PM on 17^th. August, 2025. The places are:

Dadar: Shivaji Park; Near Kohinoor Square, Opposite Mayor’s Bungalow, Keluskar Road, Dadar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400028.

Bandra (West): St. Andrew’s College, St. Dominic Road, Bandra (W) Mumbai,

Maharashtra – 400050.

Borivali (East): Raheja Old Club House; Raheja Estate, Kulupwadi, Borivali East, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400066

Goregaon (West): Shaheed Smriti Krirangan; Mahesh Nagar, Goregaon West, Mumbai,

Maharashtra – 400104

Thane (West): EEH Runners;

Kharghar: ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre; Sector 22, Utsav Chowk – CISF Rd, Owe Camp, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210.

Writer Suvro Sanyal

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