Pune: Salute! 61-year-old sari-clad granny wins marathon

Daijiworld Media Network

Pune, Dec 19: They say you are as old as you feel at heart. A 61-year-old granny has proved this adage beyond any doubt by winning a marathon barefoot, leaving all other experienced runners and trained athletes far behind.

As reported by the Daily News & Analysis (DNA), athletes and spectators were left open-mouthed in awe of the sari-clad Lata Bhagwan Kare who won the race at Baramati. Not only did she win, Lata even left all other athletes far behind within minutes of the start.

"When I came to know about the competition, I decided to participate in the event. I gathered courage and informed my son that I wanted to run the marathon. Initially, he gave me a weird look as in his opinion it was not possible, given my age. But I was determined, so he finally gave in," the DNA quoted her.

Kare also told DNA that this was her maiden run and that while many of the competitors seemed to give her a complex because she was not dressed like them, she ran the entire race all the while telling herself that she simply had to succeed. She hails from a place named Pimpli, which is 7 km from Baramati and is a farm labourer. She had moved here from Buldhana district in search of work.

Wearing a simple nauvari (9 yard) sari in the Marathi style of draping, Kare caught everyone's attention with her simple, rural ensemble. She began the race with her slippers on, but when one broke mid-way she simply left the other one as well and arrived at the finish line barefoot.

In her interview with DNA, she said while she goes for long walks every morning, she had not tried her hand at running as she felt people would ridicule the sight of her running. Kare lives with her husband and a son at Pimpli village.

A grand salute to the lady for displaying true spirit and proving that age is no barrier if one has the will to succeed.