In a remarkable feat, Amrita Sukdev Gaikwad, hailing from Babhulgaon Budruk in Vaijapur taluka, emerged victorious in the women’s 10 km category at the Tata Mumbai Marathon. This win adds to the unique title legacy created by rural siblings.
Dhiren Seth, Chairman of Mumbai’s Kotap Research Foundation supporting cotton growers, proudly sponsored the Babhulgaon players. Amrita Gaikwad secured the top position in the 10 km race, clocking an impressive time of 41.53 minutes. Notably, her elder sister, Gayatri Gaikwad, had claimed the same title four years ago, showcasing an extraordinary achievement for the siblings from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Amrita, a 12th-grade science student, has not only excelled in marathons but has also showcased her athletic prowess in school field competitions. Gitanjali Raut also made her mark by securing the third position in the 10 km category for the 18 to 25 age group. Deepali Shankar Tupe, participating for the first time in the full marathon (42.195 km), successfully completed the challenging race.
Chairman Dhiren Seth and other members of the Kotap Research Foundation, including Rajshree Seth, Aparna Navathe, Saurabh Sawant, Prathamesh Bhagwat, Lalit Singh Jadeja, Gaurav Phulse, and Satish Patil, extended their congratulations to the accomplished players of Babhulgaon. Satish Patil, the sports teacher, played a crucial role in guiding these talented runners.
While urban areas often dominate marathons, the triumph of rural talents like Amrita Gaikwad challenges preconceived notions, emphasizing the untapped potential in smaller communities.
