09 January,2026 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
Govind Kharol runs with Milind Soman at the 2024 Tata Mumbai Marathon; (right) Water forms an eye-catching vista for Kharol
A One-Armed runner, Govind Kumar Kharol, will be the pacer for the 21-km (half-marathon) distance at the Tata Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, January 18. Gritty Govind will be leading or pacing the 2 hours 10 minutes bus (2:10) for the distance. In marathon lingo, a 'bus' refers to a group of runners following a 'pacer' or pacemaker leading a group to finish within a specified target time. He is also a motivator for the group.
There can be nothing more motivating than seeing a differently-abled person turning a disability into a strength. Kharol, who is from Udaipur (Rajasthan) has done just that. He said, "I was born with one arm. I do not have a right arm. I have a left arm. My left hand has only two fingers." Kharol, who has four siblings, said that as he was born without an arm, he got used to doing things with one upper limb from an early age. "I knew I was 'different'. Yet, I chose not to let disability define me or dictate the course of my life," said the 35-year-old.
Kharol is familiar with Mumbai and the course, having run the 42-km (full marathon distance) in the city thrice. "I took up the offer to be a pacer for the 2026 half-marathon as I want people to achieve their goals. There is joy in that. I hope the fact that a 'para athlete' is pacing is all the encouragement they need to crack that timing goal."
Kharol said he has been a fitness enthusiast and athlete for years. "I call myself a fitness promoter; that is my life's work. I have an organisation called 'Bindaas Foundation'." Kharol encapsulated about Bindaas Foundation, "Bindaas works as a growing fitness and nature exploration community with a vision to make Udaipur a fit city and a cycling city. Through cycling, trekking, camping and running events, Bindaas encourages an active lifestyle that promotes physical well-being, mental strength, and a deeper connection with nature. The initiative believes that fitness is not just about sport, but about building a healthy, happy, and socially connected community. To many, I am also known as Bindaas Govind," he laughed.
Kharol explained, "I am an avid cyclist too. I have cycled from Udaipur to Bangalore in 2017 and from Manali to Khardungla Pass in 2018."
When asked how he moved the cycle handle with one arm, he said, "The brakes on my bicycle are customised, but I can move the bicycle handle bar just as deftly as people with both arms. I am used to it, have been doing so for so many years." This cyclist began his running journey during the COVID lockdown. "There were closures everywhere, so I decided to start running on the terrace of my home. I then moved on to running, circling around the Fatehsagar Lake, a distance of 8 km. I started relishing the fitness benefits of running. I gradually started upping the distance. I understood that one can become fitter faster running a short distance, but the same fitness benefits take a longer time when cycling."
"I also trek, go camping, and enjoy the outdoors as much as I can. I did the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in 2025."
The Annapurna Base Camp sits at an elevation of approximately 13,550 feet. Kharol added, "I do not want sympathy from anybody. Earlier, I used to get stares from people or pitying looks. I did not like that. Today, people look at me in admiration, and some look up to me. On treks/camping, I carry my own heavy gear. My sign off to people is: put your full heart and soul (or in running context, sole) into what you do," he concluded.
