Runner Sufiya Sufi Finally Receives Guinness World Record Certificate After Two-Year Delay
In a surprising turn of events, Indian long-distance runner Sufiya Sufi has finally received her Guinness World Records certificate for completing the challenging Manali-Leh high-altitude run, but only after an unexpected two-year delay. The athlete has pointed fingers at delivery bottlenecks, specifically citing Indian Customs as the primary culprit for the prolonged wait.
The Remarkable Achievement
Sufiya Sufi secured this prestigious title by completing the grueling Manali-Leh run in an impressive 98 hours and 27 minutes, well under the 100-hour mark. This extraordinary feat involved covering nearly 480 kilometers on foot across some of the most treacherous terrain in the Himalayas. What makes this accomplishment particularly noteworthy is that no other woman has achieved this challenging high-altitude endurance run to date.
The Frustrating Delay
The runner took to social media platform X to share her mixed emotions about finally receiving the certificate. "The record was made and approved in 2023, but the Official Certificate decided to take the scenic route through delivery gateways and Indian Customs," Sufi stated in her post. "Now it's finally home." She described her achievement as "the fastest run from Manali to Leh, across all five high passes" - a high-altitude endurance running challenge with an elevation gain of more than 8,500 meters.
Social Media Reactions
The online community responded with overwhelming support and admiration for Sufi's perseverance:
- One user commented: "This is absolutely insane, in the best way. Covering Manali to Leh at that altitude is brutal, and finishing under 100 hours shows unreal grit and discipline."
- Another remarked: "Congratulations, Sufiya. I did this route by bike and know how challenging those high passes can get. Your achievement is really commendable."
- A third user noted: "An astonishing feat! We felt it was challenging on motorcycles in our 20s."
- A fourth added: "Whoa, this is an incredible accomplishment. Perhaps this will serve as an inspiration to the younger energetic lot."
Sufiya Sufi's Impressive Track Record
This latest achievement adds to Sufiya Sufi's already impressive portfolio of endurance running records. She holds multiple Guinness World Records, including becoming the fastest woman to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Established as one of India's most accomplished endurance runners, she has also completed the Golden Quadrilateral run, covering a massive distance of over 6,000 kilometers across four major cities in just 110 days.
Despite the bureaucratic delays, Sufi expressed profound gratitude in her social media post, concluding with: "Grateful. Proud. And from a full heart thank you to my sponsors and everyone who trusted, supported, and believed in me." Her story serves as both an inspiration for aspiring athletes and a reminder of the challenges that can accompany international recognition.
