Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 9: Hailing from a village in Madhya Pradesh, Indian ultra-marathon runner, Samir Singh, who had undertaken a challenge of running 10,000 kilometers in 100 days, just fell short of 36 kilometers, covering 9,964 kilometers in 3 months long run.
On April 29, 2017, exceedingly warm summer morning, Samir Singh set off from his house in suburban Mumbai barefooted alongwith his childhood friend Ramesh and ran together to reach the southern tip of the city around 20 kilometers away, when Ramesh left the scene and Samir continued his ‘mission 10,000’ to run until August 6, 2017, when he fell exhausted and sick and his near inhuman feet came to an end.
“People say that the body has limits, my students have complained of being advised against overusing their bodies. But according to the holy scriptures, the body has no limit. If you have dreams, your body will take shape accordingly. My experience is testament to the same. God has given us our bodies and our mental capabilities define its limitations,” replied Samir to the queries as to why he had undertaken this almost impossible mission.
Samir who was left bruised after covering the extensive distance barefooted, further said that human beings possess a power far behind their knowledge, adding it is all about the discovery of one’s self.
His test of endurance in achieving mission 10,000 in the prescribed time was guided by his faith in God and defined by the holy scriptures.
To avoid his legs to numb on thinking of running 100 kilometers for the next 100 days, Samir’s formula was to break it down just like breaking ‘roti’ into pieces, not consuming it whole.
“I took the task one day at time, knowing that I will not stop until it was done. My body was rejuvenated when I woke up the next day and the routine went on. Looking at it, one day at a time reduced the burden on the mind,” said Samir who was even hospitalized with gastro-infection three days before the final run.
Despite, his grueling experience, Samir has not sought support or dietitian, trainer or doctor. His younger brother has catered his aching legs or his justifiable hunger.
He has achieved the sobriquet ‘Faith Runner’ as he was joined by the film-makers Vandana Bhatti and Vikram Bhatti who documented and brought to social media his journey titled “The Faith Runner”.
Samir whose determined appearances across the city have earned him titles like ‘Haddi’ (Skelton), ‘Badman’, ‘100KM’ ended with a final lap at the southern tip of Mumbai on August 6, 2017.
The 44-year old, Samir, who lived on just Rs 200 a day with donated clothes, has lost more than 15 kilos of weight over the past three and a half months, will visit his mother only after gaining some weight because he fears that his sight will leave her tense and upset.
For now, Samir is all set to travel to the holy city of Vrindavan, to put an end to his unearthly expedition.
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