From making his marathon debut in Mumbai in January 2024, he has completed five major marathons in his age group across the globe
Navneet Singh
Delhi’s 73-year-old Sheel Aggarwal has been flooded with calls! He was part of the Guinness World Records set at the 2025 London Marathon, which recorded the highest number of finishers. The feat of 56,640 runners crossing the finish line at the London Marathon surpassed the previous record of 55,646 set at the 2024 New York City Marathon.
“I’m part of the history made at the London Marathon this year. I was among those 56,640 runners who crossed the finish line on April 27,” the elderly gentleman said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Aggarwal, a retired banker who enjoyed an urban lifestyle throughout his working years, never even dreamt of distance running. None of his family members were remotely associated with sports.
What drives him to endure a challenging daily regimen of more than two hours of outdoor physical activity in Delhi’s sultry summer weather? He has invested more than Rs 40 lakh for the 2025 calendar year to compete in all seven major marathons across the globe.
“There was a choice to earn more money post-retirement from financial institutions,” he said. “Then I had the option to do something for my mental and physical well-being, as I wasn’t getting any younger. I opted for recreational outdoor activity that would keep me occupied and, at the same time, benefit my health,” he recalled of starting his fitness routine in 2020.
On his way to general fitness, he ventured into the challenging world of marathoning. “At 73, I consider myself a greenhorn in the marathon world,” he chuckled.
His brain has quickly adapted to the varied weather conditions experienced during marathon running across different continents, suggesting he may achieve even greater success in the future. The experiences he is gaining while travelling the globe and running marathons are invaluable.
It was a simple stroll in the park that sparked his marathon journey about four years ago. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he began a casual morning walk in a nearby park near his apartment. That tiny step toward fitness in 2020 has since blossomed into a full-fledged marathon training programme. Everything from his diet to his running gear is tailored to enhance endurance.
“I came across people from different walks of life—some quite old—jogging. I just thought I should also give it a try,” Aggarwal recalled.
The retired banker comes from an urban business community where outdoor leisure was uncommon. Aggarwal’s two daughters are both married and settled. He lives with his wife in a society apartment in Dwarka Sector 18, Southwest Delhi.
In the winter of 2023, Aggarwal was bitten by the marathon bug. The following January, he made his debut at the Mumbai Marathon.
His next goal was to compete in major marathons across the globe. Through an internet search, he discovered a marathon tour company that facilitated his entry into major races. He was successful—but it came at a cost. “For each major marathon race, I had to pay roughly between Rs 4-5 (entry and three nights’ stay),” he revealed.
In 2024, he successfully completed two major marathons—Berlin and New York—in his age group.
The 2025 London Marathon was his third major race this year. He began with the Tokyo Marathon in March, followed by the Boston Marathon on April 21, where he recorded a personal best in his age group.
Immediately after finishing the Boston Marathon, his next goal was to line up for the London Marathon (April 27). “Boston was a bit stressful. There were aches and pains for two days. But I felt better on the third day, so I went ahead with the plan to complete the London Marathon,” he said of his back-to-back marathon races across two continents.
With each race, he grows wiser and gains more experience. He is enjoying his journey. “At my age (73), I don’t take the risk of pushing hard. I take it easy in training and competition. If I feel my body isn’t adapting to a certain workout, I don’t push to prove anything to others. It’s my body, and I listen to it. I love to compete with myself and achieve small milestones. It’s about personal satisfaction. The joy of running and the adrenaline rush give me the energy to step out the door,” he explained.
His Boston experience in April was particularly insightful. He stayed with a family friend for three weeks to adapt to local weather conditions and was guided by a local mentor, Christopher Battoo. “With the support of well-wishers and friends, I was able to overcome a challenging phase at the 38km mark of the Boston Marathon,” he recalled. “Battoo and his fiancée cheered me on. That adrenaline rush helped me cross the finish line with a personal best.”
Rejuvenated after Boston, the 73-year-old Delhi runner was ready at the starting line for the London Marathon on April 27. “I’m happy to be among the 56,640 finishers at the London Marathon this year,” he said with a warm smile.
The enthusiastic runner also shared how he tackles weather challenges. “I wear multiple layers on my upper body to beat local weather conditions. It was below 10 degrees during the Berlin Marathon in September last year. It takes time for someone like me to warm up. I unzip top layers and tie them around my waist as the race progresses.”
Being vegetarian adds another challenge. His favorite pre-race meal is rice and dal. “There’s enough time to search for veg meals before the race. Rice and dal are better than pasta,” he explained.
At the 2024 Berlin Marathon, he arrived a day before his pre-booked accommodation and spent a night in a capsule. “It was a different experience. You just lie down—you can’t sit—in capsule accommodation. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the Berlin weather. It was freezing cold, and the marathon started late in the morning. It was good fun,” he added.
Self-commitment, he says, is what keeps him going. “Being an avid distance runner, my entire day revolves around fitness. My eating habits have changed. I eat dinner early and go to bed early because I have to get up early for my training run,” he told Sportsbackstory.com.
He’s already mapped out his future plans. His 2025 calendar began with the Tokyo Marathon in the first week of March. He then completed back-to-back Boston and London Marathons in April, across two different continents and contrasting environments. His next stop is the Sydney Marathon in Australia. “I’ve fully recovered from the back-to-back marathons in April. My preparation for the Sydney Marathon has already started,” he said with a warm smile.
