In an extraordinary display of human endurance and discipline, a Bengaluru resident is on course to complete a staggering personal challenge: running a half marathon every single day of the year 2025. Rohit Maiya, a 50-year-old from RMV II Stage, has turned his daily run into an inspiring saga of consistency that has captured the attention of the local running community and beyond.
The Dawn of an Unprecedented Streak
On a recent Sunday morning in Sadashivanagar, the familiar gathering of runners held a special celebration. They were there to honor one of their own, Rohit Maiya, who has achieved what even seasoned athletes seldom attempt. Starting his ambitious journey on December 31, 2024, Rohit has not missed a single day of running 21.1 kilometers throughout 2025. If he continues, his year-end tally will be 365 half marathons, covering a monumental distance of 7,701.5 kilometers.
Remarkably, Rohit had not completed a single half marathon before the previous year. "My personal best during the streak was one hour and 48 minutes," shared Rohit after being felicitated by the Free Runners community, which circles Sankey Tank daily. An online educator and co-founder of the startup Elite Mentors, Rohit's resolve was tested relentlessly. He ran through injuries, fever, diarrhoea, and even during one of the hardest personal losses of his life. "When my father was hospitalised, I would look after him during the day and run at night," he recalled.
Pushing Limits: From Personal Loss to Global Recognition
Rohit's commitment remained unshaken by travel or circumstances. He found time to run during the Kumbh Mela and once ran from Hubballi to Dharwad as rain lashed the twin cities. All his runs were meticulously recorded on an app. A significant milestone that fueled his daily running habit was earning a Guinness certificate for participating in the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, recognized as the highest frozen lake marathon in the world.
The physical transformation accompanying this feat has been dramatic. Since January 2025, Rohit has lost an impressive 20 kilograms. However, his journey raised concerns among friends and family about potential muscle loss and burnout. His mother, Vijaya, was particularly worried. "She kept asking me to stop," Rohit said, "But she also made sure I ate right."
The Discipline Behind the Distance: Diet and Determination
Rejecting supplements, Rohit relied entirely on home-cooked food and sheer discipline. His post-run ritual involved consuming about 400 grams of a protein-rich mix, which included:
- Soaked or sprouted chana dal, green gram, and moth bean.
- Paneer and Greek yoghurt.
- Nuts like peanuts, cashews, and almonds.
- Raisins, dates, and a small banana.
His mother sometimes enhanced the meal with rajma, soy chunks, masala peanuts, grated carrots, cucumber, and other raw vegetables. This nutritious regimen paid off. "Apart from minor ankle issues and thigh pain, I was fine," Rohit stated. His health metrics improved significantly, with previously high blood pressure now falling within the desirable range.
Running enthusiast Rakesh Ramachandran, who joined the felicitation, praised Rohit's journey as "a beacon of inspiration for individuals to embrace fitness as a way of life." Free Runners team leader Santosh V and co-founder Krishnan Ramaiah also lauded his unparalleled dedication and discipline. Rohit Maiya's story is more than a running log; it's a powerful testament to how consistency and a supportive community can help achieve the seemingly impossible.
