Pune’s Prashant Pethe Covers a Staggering 968 km in New York Ultramarathon
Pune, 19th May 2025: Prashant Pethe, a 48-year-old ultrarunner from Pune, has created history by covering an astonishing distance of 968 kilometers in a 10-day ultramarathon held recently in New York City. He is the first Indian to complete this distance in the prestigious international event, which featured 16 elite runners from around the world.
The ultramarathon, organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, is a grueling endurance race conducted annually for the past 25 years. It includes 3-day, 6-day, and 10-day formats and is held on a 1.5 km loop track in Corona Park, Flushing Meadows, New York. The race typically takes place in late April and challenges runners both physically and mentally.
Pethe had participated in the same event last year, logging 882 km (548 miles). This year, he surpassed his own record by running 968 km (600 miles) over 10 days, securing 5th place overall.
Another Indian participant, Arun Bhardwaj, finished 8th with a total distance of 814 km (506 miles). The event was won by Andrea Marcato from Italy, who covered an impressive 1,168 km (726 miles).
A resident of Ramyanagari Society in Bibwewadi, Pune, Pethe works as a Captain in the Merchant Navy. Despite his demanding work schedule at sea, he maintains a rigorous training routine, often running 2 to 3 hours daily on a treadmill aboard his ship. He began running in 2015 to manage diabetes and was mentored by Ajay Desai, founder of the Blue Brigade Sports Foundation.
Starting with shorter runs such as 10 km and half-marathons, Pethe gradually progressed to ultramarathon distances—42 km, 161 km, 220 km, and even 500 km—earning a name for himself as a committed endurance athlete.
Slept Just 4 Hours a Day
Speaking to Sakal, Pethe shared insights from his experience: “I train regularly with the Blue Brigade team and am thankful to Desai Sir for his constant encouragement. During the race, I only slept from 11 PM to 3 AM. The rest of the time was spent covering as much distance as possible. Each lap was tracked electronically.”
He added that the organizing team ensured participants were well-supported, providing nutritious vegetarian meals and an encouraging atmosphere. Pethe recalled battling fatigue, extreme weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain, but remained focused on the goal.
“I feel proud to become the first Indian to cross the 600-mile mark. It’s a milestone I had dreamed of,” he said.
