Run Milind Run

From the drool-worthy supermodel to current marathon sensation, Milind Soman’s journey has been laced with guts, glory and gumption.

- Vinodini Krishnakumar

It’s the season of marathons, and our very own ‘marathon maniac’ – Milind Soman – is travelling the length and breadth of the country doing what he does best – Run!

For someone who hated running all his life, Milind has definitely come a long, long way…

From being known as India’s best known Marathon Man to completing the world’s toughest endurance challenge (Ultraman – swimming 10 kms, cycling 423 kms and running 84 kms over three days) to inspiring a whole lot of Indians to run, he’s on a mission… To keep challenging himself and to motivate others to do the same. That he runs barefoot is another bewildering story altogether, and we’ll come to that soon. But first, what triggers Milind’s passion? And how did he metamorphose from the smashing supermodel of the ‘90s to one of India’s biggest fitness and running icons today?

Our meeting with him on a sunny afternoon at his office in Santacruz, Mumbai, is scheduled for an hour. But that our interview lasts almost two hours (not that we complained!) goes to show just how passionate he is about all things health and fitness…

Dressed casually in black tracks, zipped jacket and his trademark sandals, Milind greets us, with his charming smile intact. At 52, he still manages to look effortlessly handsome, and his salt and pepper hair only adds to his sexiness… Just back from the Vizag Pinkathon, he’s upbeat and happy, and tells us how eager he is to take on the Mumbai one. The man’s on a perennial runner’s high…

FROM GREEK GOD TO MARATHON MAN