ENERZAL Mumbai Ultra Marathon, 2025 – The 12 Hour Run.

The ENERZAL 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. August, 2025.

MUNIR KULAVOOR – Banker Entrepreneur; Certified Running Coach & Marathoner:

As a young cadet in NCC Air Wing, running cross country was the very first activity Munir Kulavoor got introduced to. In fact, his running traits secured Munir a selection into the National Cadet Corps.

“As we underwent numerous PT, Drills in the three years of training, running was the fundamental mode of discipline alongside the only mode of locomotion for us in uniforms, with rifles in hand, or even bare body as part of punishments”, Munir reiterated.

Running for over 30 years, is a part of his DNA. As demonstrated this sport is the festivity of mental & physical torture wherein athletes most often than not experience overuse injuries, chaffing, rashes, muscular & joints pain, fatigue & the temptation to quit.

He further stated, “After running the inaugural edition of the then Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2004, a distance of 42.2 Kilometres fascinated me, and began training more seriously. In the year 2015, on the suggestion of my coach Daniel Vaz I undertook the Marathon Trainers Certificate course from ACSM. Since then, I’ve been rendering marathon training for recreational runners. With my Mission to transform 100 sedentary office goers into recreational athletes per year, ExploRunner Group was institutionalised”.

Imparting trainings to the new joiners manifested to run longer distances resulting in higher weekly mileages. Soon, he found himself running Ultramarathons. It was in August 2016, after completing a total 06 marathons he got introduced to Mumbai Ultra 12 hours run, an event organised by the runners for the runners, pampering the runners throughout with medical assessments after each lap of 10.5K, buffet of eatables, and even an ice bath. Immediately thereafter, “I ran my first 50K at the Western Ghats Ultra, Pune & got a chance to run with legends like Tarun Mateti, Milind Soman, Breeze Sharma. Later over the years I managed to put together string of 24 Hours stadium runs, 09 of them so far in cities including Mumbai, Bangalore & Chandigarh. Not to forget some incredible races in the Himalayas”.

Being an ACSM Certified Marathon Trainer, he was privileged to train corporate professionals, police officers, court officials, software engineers & entrepreneurs. Training larger section of the societies to run a Marathon enabling India transform into a World Marathon Major has become the major purpose of his life.

Immunogenetically blessed to be born with an “O-ve” blood group, he understood his life saving potentiality. “In the year 2019 one of my trainees – Maya Basrur – who was a regular platelet donor, inspired me to become a saviour for the needy cancer patients. Since then, I’ve been donating platelets every fortnight, this is something that I wish to continue as long as possible because of the satisfaction. Hence, Mumbai Ultra 12 Hours Run has had a profound impact on my life in both running Ultras & Platelet donation and am sure it has impacted many lives both as a saviour & inspiration”, a reflection of satisfaction was visible in the glowing eyes of Munir Kulavoor.

While interacting with the different stake holders of the Mumbai Ultra Marathon 2025, one most striking characteristic that had been observed is the camaraderie. Munir Kulavoor too, has held his wife Annie M Kulavoor & son Zayn (08) who were the true mentors, both staying consolidated by his side during odds & woos. On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, this adorable brother has tokened an appreciation for his sister Zeenat, who has always been there on the roads, inside the stadium as a Cheer Leader for her beloved brother.

Finally, Munir has appealed, “I urge the larger society to take up running by joining a community as there are many running groups & coaches in Mumbai City offering you a conducive environment to adopt the sport. Eventually running not only improves your health, it also elevates your mental well-being. I have witnessed the sport giving an identity & making life purposeful for thousands of runners”.

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 along with the contact details are appended hereunder:

Dadar: Shivaji Park; Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Near (Old) Mayor’s Bunglow, 252, Veer Savarkar Marg,  Dadar (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400028.

Contact: Anand Kane – 98200 00400; Naveen Hegde – 93240 51848.

Bandra (West): St. Andrew’s College, St. Dominic Road, Bandra (W) Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400050.

Contact: Christine Saldanha – 9819039916; Srinivasan Krishnan -7738124137.

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

Contact: Shridhar Mani – 9820472721; Mahesh Nagwekar – 98201 33919.

Goregaon (West): Shaheed Smriti Krirangan; Mahesh Nagar, Goregaon West, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400104.

Contact: Maya Borade – 9833994922; Sanjit Chakraborty – 9820324819.

Thane (West): EEH Runners; Fittfocus; 201, Tulsee Chambers; Opposite Teen Petrol Pump; LBS Marg; Naupada; Thane West; Maharashtra – 400602.

Contact: Dr. Aparna Govind – 9820000762; ⁠Mr. Yogesh Chavan – 98677 94015‬.

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

Contact: Abhitab Ravatale – 9594620683; Pravin Birhade – 9987676387.

Writer Suvro Sanyal

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