Durgesh Kashyap and Khushboo Vaish have come through a marathon journey which can serve as an inspiration and they look for an encore at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025. The husband-wife duo shared their journey, thoughts and perspectives in this exclusive Q&A with The Free Press Journal.
Excerpts..
• You (Durgesh) were the youngest to complete 10 full Mumbai Marathons back in 2017. How old were you then and what was the motivation that helped you achieve the feat?
• DK: Was 33 then, Had started to have a unique CV point in IIMA 2nd year for better Day zero placement in 2008 but since then reasons have evolved as life moved from a student, just hired to traveling consultant to a dating bachelor to a married man to a father. And as Tom Hanks says as Forrest Gump, “Since, I have come this far. Maybe I will go a little further”.
• To give your husband motivation and competition must have been exhilarating. How has the journey been for you having run same number of marathons and half marathons as Durgesh?
• KV: Behind every successful man, there is a woman! So I am taking credit for his achievement also! But to give due credit, Durgesh has 15 Mumbai Full and 15 Delhi Half while I have 10 Mumbai Full and 12 Delhi Half at Procam organized events. Our shared journey hasn’t been easy with demanding jobs, health scares, early morning flights, a growing son, no parents in Mumbai, etc. etc. but we have been lucky to be in Mumbai and built our support system of maids, neighbours, friends, runner community, who have always stepped up to help us when needed.
• Where did the passion for running and marathons start at a very generic level for both of you?
• DK: Did my schooling at Scindia School in Gwalior where we were known more by what we do for our hostel rather than for ourselves, so introduction to all Sports was a legacy learning for me from Scindia. I represented IIT Madras at Athletics (400m, 800m, 1500m & 5000m) and Field Hockey while Khushboo represented IIT Kanpur at Badminton and Basketball. Road running was our way of building in continuity of physical activity during our IIM days and beyond that.
• KV: I was always active since in college and did represent IIT Kanpur and IIM Calcutta in badminton and basketball. But since I came to Mumbai in 2008, free gym at my first employer, McKinsey was something which ignited that passion and being in Bhakti Park in Mumbai with a lush green park had made it a way of life.
• Both of you are academically and professionally well accomplished, how have the marathons and half-marathons helped you and furthered your cause in that regard?
• KV: Discipline, perseverance, failure, enjoying journey (rather than destination), continuous learning & so many other facets from running makes us a better professional. I had been lucky to be in organizations that focus on mental and physical wellbeing of employees, 14 years at Alvarez & Marsal and now at Tata Group.
• What were the challenges if any?
• DK: Yes, aplenty but point is how we want to take them. Khushboo had knee ailment in 2017 and later had a severe bout of chickenguniya in 2024. I had an early next day morning Kolkata presentation in 2012 and a zero-practice year at 2010. Then we had schedule clashes where only one of us could practice while other stayed with kid. Maids vanished, family functions came, missed registering at all in first place etc etc.. Important thing is we have been clear, come what may, we have to be at the start line.
• What’s the best thing about TMM over the years for both of you and marathons in general?..
• KV: 3rd Sunday of January has become synonymous with TMM. Over the last decade and half, we have run more difficult runs (multiple ultrs), more scenic runs (Khardungla), faster runs (Delhi) et al; however, TMM continues to be the common string. That pedder road in dark, sun rising over sea link, handshakes around Mahim bay, food at Shivaji park, blessings of Siddhivinayak, near soul killing turn at Worli, eternally cheerful squad at pedder road and the final stretch on marine drive. If this is not bliss, what is!! I even ran TMM half marathon in my 7th month of pregnancy, because I just couldn’t not miss that feeling!
• DK: I remember how there used to be clamour for then TMM goodie bags before 2010. For me one defining aspect of Mumbai Marathon organisers (Procam) has been their ability to absorb feedback and evolve. Way back in 2017, we had suggested using initiatives like special number, displaying run count, segregating half and full runs, corporate involvement etc to improve runner experience. Heartening to see that & even more in action today, Kudos to Vivek & Team Procam.
• How different is the preparation for Full and Half Marathons?..
• DK: For us, sessions scheduled over the weekdays doesn’t change much. The key difference is in the length and pace of weekend long slow runs. These days, we are working on lower and smarter weekly mileage where the total mileage count is about 1.25 types the distance attempted for the training season (25K for half and 50K for full).
• Having said that for an amateur runner with some sporting background, half marathon is still about that youthful speed while Full marathon is a complete package – food, apparel, pacing pattern, understanding weather .. an entire experience.
• How has your child/children responded to your marathon journey?
• (Self-written words of our son 7 year old Karun, Class 2 student at Bombay Scottish, Mahim)
• KARUN: I have no idea why papa and mumma run, it looks very boring and tiring. But when they come back with the medal, I like that. I always wanted to see what they feel. So, I have registered for my 1st road-race a 5KM at pokemon run in March.
• KV: Even before his birth, Karun has run his 1st half marathon at Mumbai Marathon 2017. I was 7 months pregnant then and so ran the half marathon even though I did have practice mileage of over 500Km in the season till then.
