Anil Ambani: Marathon czar

They are a group of 25 people who meet every Sunday at 5.15am. And they run till about 6am at the Mahalaxmi race course or Marine Drive. This group just loves running and all the members participate in the Mumbai Marathon every year. Among this group of stock brokers, doctors, housewives and finance consultants is corporate head-honcho — and star marathoner — Anil Ambani.

Sanjay Kapadia, a stock broker who can be credited for forming this group, says, “Since the last three years, Anilbhai is running with us. Earlier, we would exchange pleasantries while jogging and then one fine day I asked him if I could get a picture clicked with him…since then he is running with us.”

He adds, “He is an inspiration of sorts. He is a disciplined runner and doesn’t miss out on running sessions unless he is abroad. Many a times, he has returned back at two in the morning but he will still come to run with us at 5am the same day. I would also say that there are many people on Marine Lines who have been inspired to run by Anilbhai.”

Sanjay Dalal, Tarla Dalal’s son who is a professional marathoner, is also a part of the group. “Anil always runs with his car behind, but he is a very generous man. He shares his water with everybody and if need be, also his car. He is just like any other runner but he does attract a lot of attention,” says Dalal.

“While he is running, a lot of people yell out ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ to him and he nods to everybody and keeps running.”