In 2010, Anoop Sharma was on regular medication due to a sedentary lifestyle. Today, he is a fierce competitor in the amateur running circuit.
Navneet Singh
From a sedentary lifestyle to clocking countless miles around a 1000-meter loop at a local park in South West Delhi, Anoop Sharma’s journey has been both challenging and inspiring.
Now 54, Sharma has earned accolades by completing numerous amateur marathons in India— ranging from 10km races to gruelling ultramarathons, including 12-hour stadium run. His personal best over a half marathon (21 km) is an impressive 1 hour and 40 minutes. He has also completed several full marathons (42 km).
These achievements, however, have come in just the past eight years. Before that, Sharma was just another urban professional, caught up with the fast pace of life with little time for himself. An engineering graduate born and raised in Delhi, he had a hectic routine — irregular meals, late nights, and no exercise for nearly a decade — all of which began taking a toll on his health.
“After my marriage in the late 1990s, I became extremely busy,” Sharma recalls. “I started experiencing the symptoms of a sedentary lifestyle. With work and family commitments, I completely neglected my health.”
By 2010, his physical condition had worsened. Frequent visits to doctors became the norm due to digestive issues and other health concerns. “I was on pills just to maintain my overall health,” he says. “It was traumatic to keep seeing doctors and being told I needed to change my lifestyle.”
That realization sparked a turning point. Drawing from his school days when he enjoyed playing soccer, Sharma decided to reclaim his fitness. He committed to an outdoor fitness routine and gradually adopted a disciplined lifestyle.
“Initially, it was incredibly hard,” he says. “Workouts were physically exhausting, and mentally I had to push myself every single day. But over time, my body adapted, and I started enjoying the process.”
He began with cycling to boost his fitness, but unsafe and uneven roads in Delhi discouraged him. By 2014–15, he switched to running, a move that would change his life.
In 201, Sharma moved to Dwarka’s Sector 19, where the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) parks and nearby golf course offered ideal conditions for runners and fitness enthusiasts. It was here that Sharma discovered his passion for running.
Once unaware of even basic hydration needs, Sharma now diligently carries a water bottle during long runs, especially those exceeding 8 kilometers.
“Hydration is critical, especially in the summer,” he says. “I’ve learned the hard way.”
Today, Sharma is a familiar name in India’s growing running community, that is seeing many individuals like him transforming their lives through distance running. Two rooms in his four-bedroom apartment are filled with trophies and medals — a testament to his dedication.
In 2017, he felt ready to compete in Delhi’s 21km race. “The experience was electrifying. From elite runners to first-timers, it felt like a city-wide running festival,” he says. That race not only boosted his confidence but also expanded his social circle. He began documenting his runs and connecting with fellow runners. “You feel proud to discuss long 30km weekend runs with like-minded people,” he says.
Sharma’s wife, Kiran, is a school teacher. Their son is pursuing graduation in Chennai, and their daughter is studying in Jaipur. “It took some time for my family to understand my passion,” he says.
Now, youngsters in his residential complex seek his advice on fitness. He often spends weekends playing cricket with them and encouraging outdoor activities. “I tell them to enjoy nature and stay active.”
Sharma is now regarded as a serious runner. He avoids late-night gatherings to prioritize his morning runs and has invested in high-quality running shoes and gear. “Once you embrace a fitness routine, everything else starts aligning around it,” he says.
He has raced distances from 10km to 60km. In 2022, he was part of a group of endurance runners who covered 40km daily for seven consecutive days — a total of 280km — from Srinagar’s Lal Chowk to Delhi’s India Gate. “Our legs were sore, but the adrenaline rush kept us going,” he recalls.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a setback, bringing significant financial losses in his business. Yet, Sharma emerged stronger — mentally and physically. “All thanks to long-distance running,” he says proudly. “I haven’t visited a doctor in the last 15 years.”
