​Milind Soman started running at 37, when one half-marathon changed everything and set him on a journey to marathons, ironman and ultra-distance races​

In 2003, while reading the newspaper at his mother’s house, Milind noticed an announcement about India’s first major city marathon in Mumbai. The idea of running 21 kilometers appealed to him for a simple reason.

​Also Read: 72-year-old man reverses diabetes with just daily walks for 6 years, internet can’t believe his real age as video goes viral; Netizens say ‘That’s how you motivate people ‘​

In an interview with the New Indian Express, Milind has said as a child he had heard the story about Pheidippides, the Greek messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory that the Greeks had over Persians, at the Battle of Marathon.

That old tale had stayed in the back of his mind. At 37, with a steady but unexciting phase in his career, he decided the time felt right for a new challenge. Friends and others warned him that the heat, the distance and his age would make it difficult. He trained for a few months and went ahead anyway.

​

Image credit: Instagram