Kamal Ghorui
The Times Internet Half Marathon was never just a race. Across three extraordinary days starting with the expo on March 27th and 28th, building to the electrifying race day on March 29th over 15,000 runners filled the city with joy, sweat, and stories worth telling. In the 5K Female category, four women stood out. Not just for where they finished, but for who they are and what brought them to that starting line. ShaluWinnerChip time: 00:20:26.30Shalu was always fast.Her school knew it, her friends knew it, and deep down, she knew it too. She spent her school years running freely in the fields, becoming known for her speed. But when it came to competitions, her family held her back, she was too young, they said. So she waited. The moment she stepped into college, she stepped onto the national stage. First year of college, first national competition. That is the kind of athlete Shalu is.“Chai kitni bhi age ho jaye, mujhe running nahin chhodna hai.”No matter how old she gets, she will never leave running. Her goals are clear: win a national medal, support her parents, and one day, stand at the Olympics.
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Bhavya Singh,1st Runner upChip time: 00:23:57.19Bhavya Singh is 12 years old and already a medal-winning athlete. A professional skater since the age of 5, she has been collecting medals at CBSE Skating Championships and only recently expanded her world to include athletics. This was her very first marathon and she finished on the podium. Supported every step of the way by her father, Bhavya is the kind of young talent that makes you stop and pay attention.“It was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed the Times Internet Marathon.”From the skating rink to the race track , Bhavya is building a career in sport one milestone at a time, and this podium finish is only her beginning.
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Panchhi Singh,2nd Runner upChip time: 00:23:57:74Just 11 years old, Panchhi Singh is already on her fifth marathon. She has been skating for a year, takes dedicated running coaching, and has a dream that is crystal clear she wants to become a sprint runner and build her entire career in athletics. What makes her story even more remarkable? She finished just milliseconds behind Bhavya Singh. Two milliseconds separated bronze from silver. She took it in her stride literally.“I had a thrilling time. I was very happy with the event.”At 11, fifth marathon, a podium finish decided by a heartbeat Panchhi Singh is a name to remember.
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