From Mumbai's Streets to Boston's Finish Line: Aditi Pandya's Decade-Long Dream
A decade ago, Aditi Pandya laced up her running shoes for the first time on the busy streets of Mumbai. What started as a simple escape from her demanding corporate career has now culminated in a remarkable achievement: qualification for the prestigious Boston Marathon in 2026.
The Pinnacle Achievement: Securing a Boston Bib
The 43-year-old marathoner, originally from Gujarat, earned her spot in the iconic race by delivering an outstanding performance at the New Delhi Marathon in February. Competing in the 40-50 age category, Pandya completed the full marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 29 minutes, meeting the event's notoriously tough qualification standards.
"I am thrilled to run in the Boston Marathon, one of the iconic races with tough qualification criteria. I trained hard to get selected for this race," said Pandya, who is also the co-founder of a Bengaluru-based fitness services company.
The Grueling 16-Week Journey to Qualification
Pandya's success was born from a meticulously planned and intensely executed training regimen. She followed a 16-week training plan designed to test her physical limits and improve her pace endurance.
"I underwent a 16-week training plan to see how much load my body could take and how fast I could run at a particular pace," Pandya shared. Her commitment was extraordinary, with weekend runs often exceeding 30 kilometres. Over the entire training period, she covered a staggering total distance of more than 630 kilometres.
A Natural Athlete's Evolution: From Hockey to Marathons
Pandya's athletic journey began long before her running career. She was a national-level hockey player and even represented India in roller skating at the Asian Games. This strong sports background provided a foundation that helped her adapt quickly to the demands of marathon racing.
She began running casually in 2016 while working in Mumbai, and within just one year, she participated in her first half-marathon in the same city. "I started enjoying running as it increased my focus, made me agile, and gave me a sense of purpose," Pandya recalled of her early running days.
An Impressive Racing Portfolio
Over the past eight years, Pandya has built an impressive racing record, having completed 24 marathons that include four full marathons. Her consistency and performance have been remarkable, with podium finishes in most races within her age category over the last two years.
She has particularly shone at the Vadodara International Marathon, where she has participated three times and finished on the podium on each occasion.
Roots and Education
Pandya comes from an academic family—her mother, Dr. Amita Pandya, is a retired professor from M S University. Pandya completed both her graduation and postgraduation in Vadodara before embarking on her corporate career in Mumbai.
Now settled in Bengaluru, this determined athlete continues to push boundaries, proving that with dedication and proper training, even the most ambitious running goals are within reach.
