Setting a New Benchmark at Comrades

Devarao Choudhari clocked the fastest time by an Indian at the Comrades in South Africa

- Shail Desai

For three months, Devarao Choudhari led an austere life in preparation for the Comrades Marathon (89.98km) in South Africa on 8 June. He shifted base from the comfort of his home in Pusad near Yavatmal in Maharashtra to the cool climes of Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand in order to train at altitude. It was the longest he had stayed away from family and managed on his own.

The effort paid off when he clocked 7 hours, 3 minutes, the fastest time by an Indian at the Comrades.

The 2025 edition of the race was the "Down Run" from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, where the previous best Indian timing was Kartik Joshi's mark of 7 hours, 26 minutes. Last year on the "Up Run" (Durban to Pietermaritzburg), Choudhari had registered 7 hours, 4 minutes. He is the first Indian to win back-to-back silver medals at the race, which is awarded to male runners who clock between 6 hours and 7 hours, 29 minutes.

"I went back for another attempt because I wanted to push the envelope and change the mindset of Indian runners on what's possible," Choudhari, 28, says. "Personally too, there's room for improvement because I didn't meet my target. But there's definitely a sense of satisfaction to get another silver medal."