For many, apartment living offers convenience and security. For 71-year-old Dr. Mangalore Vittal Kamath, a resident of Salarpuria Sattva Greenage on Hosur Road in Bengaluru's Bommanahalli, it has provided the perfect track for an extraordinary fitness mission. The retired dental surgeon covers a staggering 24 kilometers every single day, clocking in 33,000 steps within the sprawling 21-acre complex, a disciplined routine he has maintained for the last decade.
The Genesis of a Decade-Long Walking Habit
Dr. Kamath's remarkable journey began in 2008 with a simple New Year's resolution to walk 5 kilometers daily. His dedication saw him quickly ramp up the distance. Within two months, he was walking 10 km, then 15 km, before finally settling into his current regimen of a full 24 km daily walk. His motivation is clear and profound. "I want to stay fit until I die. I don't want to be a burden on my children," he states. He emphasizes that his pace is consistently brisk, as his goal is endurance walking, not running.
A Meticulously Planned Daily Schedule
Dr. Kamath's day is a masterclass in time management and discipline, revolving entirely around his walking segments. His routine is split into four distinct sessions:
- He begins his day at 3:30 am, walking for 90 minutes to cover 7.2 km before sunrise.
- After a two-hour break, he resumes at 7:00 am for a 60-minute, 4.8 km walk.
- His third walk is a 45-minute session between 12:30 pm and 1:15 pm, covering 3.6 km.
- The final and longest stretch starts at 4:00 pm, where he completes the remaining 8.4 km in 135 minutes, finishing by 6:15 pm.
Over 18 years of walking, he has estimated his total distance covered to be an incredible 1,28,000 kilometers. Rain or shine, he never misses a day, drawing energy from the greenery of his apartment complex, where one round measures 1.3 km.
Walking Above All: Sacrifices and Global Consistency
Dr. Kamath's commitment is non-negotiable. "If I don't meet my target of 33,000 steps (24 km), I can't go to sleep," he admits. This dedication even cost him his job as a teacher at a private dental college in Bengaluru, a position he took after moving from Haveri, where he ran a multi-specialty hospital for 38 years. His pre-dawn Brahma Muhurta schedule clashed with work hours. "I had to choose between my walks and a lucrative job, and I happily quit my job," he says, expressing no regrets.
His routine remains unbroken by travel or personal circumstances. He has maintained his daily walks in over 80 countries, including the USA, Eastern Europe, and even at the high-altitude Pangong Lake in Ladakh. He continued walking daily while caring for his ailing mother in her final days. "Remember, your mind is way stronger than your body," is the mantra of this walking enthusiast.
Diet, Health, and a Passion for Stair Climbing
Supporting his intense physical activity is a carefully curated diet. Post his pre-dawn walk, he takes a shot of a homemade mixture containing garlic, turmeric, ginger, and curry leaves to boost immunity and digestion. His meals primarily consist of millets, green vegetables, dal, and fresh salads. The results speak for themselves. "My vital signs are normal, and I don't take any medicines," Dr. Kamath reports proudly.
Beyond walking, he is an avid and record-holding stair climber. His notable achievements include:
- Climbing the 272 steps of Batu Caves in Malaysia in six minutes.
- Scaling the 437 steps of Rockfort Vinayak in Tiruchirapalli in five minutes.
- Conquering 300 steps at Muktinath in Nepal in four minutes.
- Ascending the 650 steps of Shravana Belagola Hill in seven minutes.
Dr. Mangalore Vittal Kamath's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of discipline, proving that age is merely a number when one is committed to a life of fitness and vitality.
