From half km to 100 races: Ganesh M’s relentless journey

Mangaluru

At 63, when many slow down, Ganesh M continues to move forward with quiet determination, one steady stride at a time. His journey to completing 100 races over 19 years is not built on natural athletic ability or early success, but on discipline, resilience and a decision he made years ago not to give up after a difficult start. Born in Ullal Kapikad in Mangaluru to Monappa and Girija Monappa, Ganesh grew up in an environment where hard work and consistency were a way of life. After completing his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from KPT, Mangaluru, he stepped into the industrial sector, working in Kanpur and Visakhapatnam before joining Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited in 1995.

Over the years, he built a strong professional career through steady effort and technical excellence, eventually retiring as Chief Manager in May 2023 after nearly three decades of service. Running entered his life not out of passion, but out of necessity. A routine health check revealed rising cholesterol levels, and he was advised to take up regular exercise. Around the same time, he observed a senior colleague, Venkataramani, who had transformed his health through disciplined running. That example stayed with him and slowly pushed him to begin.

The start was tough. His first attempt lasted barely half a kilometre. He was breathless, exhausted and forced to stop midway. It was discouraging, but instead of quitting, he chose to return the next day. “I could not even complete half a kilometre and I was gasping for breath, but I told myself if I stop now, I will never start again,” he recalls. He began with one kilometre a day and increased his distance gradually by 200 metres. There was no rush, only consistency. Within weeks, his breathing improved, his stamina increased and his confidence began to grow.

What once felt difficult slowly became manageable. In 2003, he decided to challenge himself by participating in the MRPL Independence Day Marathon, a 13.2 km stretch from MRPL to Surathkal and back. He completed the race by alternating between running and walking. There was no medal, but there was belief, and that belief became the foundation of everything that followed. Encouraged by friends, he joined the Masters Athletic Association and began training more seriously.

He set a goal to run 5000 metres without stopping and worked towards it with daily practice. Within a month, he achieved it. However, competitive success did not come immediately. In the early years, he consistently finished outside podium positions, often in fifth or sixth place. Many would have been discouraged, but Ganesh focused on progress rather than results. “I never felt disappointed about not getting a prize because I knew I was improving every day,” he says. Gradually, he increased his distance from 5 km to 10 km, building endurance and mental strength with each run.

The turning point came in 2012 when he secured third place in the MRPL Independence Day Marathon. That moment validated years of effort and gave him the confidence to aim higher. From then on, he went on to achieve several podium finishes at district, state and national levels. One of his most memorable achievements came in 2019 when he secured first place in the PSPB Delhi Marathon 10K in the 55 plus category. It was a national-level accomplishment that reflected years of discipline and consistency. Over 19 years, Ganesh has completed 100 races, each one representing effort, patience and self-belief.

His 100th run, completed at a Rotary marathon, holds special significance. “Completing my 100th run at a Rotary marathon gave me immense happiness because it connected both my passions, running and service,” he says. For Ganesh, the real reward lies beyond medals. His health has improved, cholesterol is under control and his endurance and flexibility have increased significantly. Even today, he comfortably clears treadmill stress tests during annual health check-ups, something he once struggled with.

He often shares his experience with beginners, encouraging them to take the first step without overthinking. “Do not wait for the perfect time, just begin with what you can and your body will slowly adapt,” he says. He believes in starting with walking, then moving to jogging and gradually building up to running, while always listening to the body. His philosophy is simple and practical. Running is not about competing with others, but about improving oneself. “In the long run, you are only competing against yourself, not with others, whether in running or in life,” he says.

Behind this journey is strong family support. His wife Kavitha, a guest faculty at Mangalore University, continues her own pursuit of learning and is currently working towards her PhD at 56. Their sons have built their own paths in engineering and academics, reflecting the same values of discipline and perseverance. Ganesh is also a Rotarian from Rotary Club of Baikampady and has been actively involved in community service since 2013. Over the years, he has held key roles and as President, led more than 30 impactful service projects, including building a house for a destitute elderly woman in Surathkal.

Even today, he continues to run, not chasing records but staying committed to a habit that transformed his life. From struggling to complete half a kilometre to finishing 100 races, his journey is proof that consistency can overcome limitations and that starting small can lead to something truly meaningful. Ganesh M’s story is a reminder that the hardest step is the first one, and once taken with determination, it can lead to a lifetime of achievement.