Mumbai runner Mitaram Jangid completes Cape Town Marathon at 50, inspiring many

Prithvi Ghag with his mother. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Several Indians put their best and fastest foot forward at the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, May 24. Mitaram Jangid, a builder from Goregaon East, finished the 42.2 km course in 6 hours and 19 minutes. It is said that when you are 50 and running, it is not ordinary, it's extraordinary.

Jangid, who is 70 years old, said, "I went to Cape Town with the overall aim of running all over the world. I want to run in many countries. I have also run several marathons in India and abroad. The most enjoyable part was the cheers... the support I got on the way. Seeing my white hair, the crowds lining the course shouted a little louder as well," laughed the Goregaon resident.

Mitaram Jangid (right) with Subhash Motwani in Cape Town

It was a scenic full marathon debut for Chembur's Prithvi Ghag who finished the full course in 5:11. "The weather, the course with its gentle slopes, the culture and people, it was all so memorable. Now, I am enjoying seeing the place too," said the 33-year-old finance professional.

Colaba's Subhash Motwani, founder, Namaste Tourism and a runner himself - one of the official tour operators for the Cape Town Marathon - said, "Cape Town is picture postcard with the imposing Table Mountain on one end and the spectacular V&A Waterfront at the other end."

Race ace

The Cape Town Marathon produced the fastest marathon ever run on African soil on Sunday, while Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge launched his seven-continent world tour with a 16th-place finish in his first marathon in Africa. Mohamed Esa won the men's race in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 55 seconds, breaking the previous course record of 2:08:16 set in 2024. In the women's race, Ethiopia's Dera Dida Yami won in 2:23:18.

Kipchoge's project

Eliud Kipchoge's ‘World Tour' is an initiative where the marathon legend aims to complete a marathon on all seven continents over a span of two to three years. Kipchoge kicked off the tour with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa.

>> Leg 2 (South America): The Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil (July 12)
>> Leg 3 (Australia): The Melbourne Marathon (October 11)
>> Leg 4-7: To be announced

May 24
Day Cape Town Marathon was held