Sandeep Madan 

Sandeep Madan, fondly known as Sandy amongst his friends, is a devoted runner. His day is incomplete if he doesn’t move out of the house early morning for a run or even for a walk. Why? Because it undoubtedly helps him to keep fit, agile and active in his fifty fourth year of existence on the planet earth. In addition to all its health and fitness advantages, Running to him like meditation is a practise of focussing attention in order to clear the mind and reduce anxiety and learning to focus helps to tune out distractions. He talks about running as a Salve – a way to work through problems, escape negative thinking, or overcome personal demons, if any. Running has always been part of his life since his boarding school days, thereafter during training in NDA and IMA. He however had not ventured beyond 10 K. It was during his tenure in Kolkata in 2013 that he started his morning runs regularly. It was only in Dec 2014 when for the first time he participated in an organised event which incidentally happened to be the first edition of TSK25. He was quite impressed with the enormity of the event and probably got bitten by the running bug. Consequently, he started participating in various local as well as outstation running events. He ran his first HM in Nov 2015 (ADHM) and FM in Jan 2017 (SCMM). His passion for running took him to the cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Shillong, Leh, Nainital, Jaisalmer, Ooty, Chandigarh etc. Successful attempt of a FM in high altitude region of Ladakh in Sep 2017 encouraged him to venture into uncharted territory of Ultra Running. He ran 74 K Garhwal Runs in Feb 2018 from Dehradun to Dhanaulti (net elevation gain of 2500 m) and in bargain qualified for 111 K category of La Ultra, The High. Participation in La Ultra has been one of the high point of running for him. La Ultra (111 K) entailed ascent from 10000 feet to 17500 feet and thereafter descent to 11000 feet, to be covered in 20 hours. Running ‘Comrades’, the Ultimate Human Race, in 2019 in South Africa, put him in a different category of runners. He followed up Comrades with Malnad Ultra in 2019. Post COVID, he ran his longest run (Border Run) of 100 miles (160 Km) from Jaisalmer to Longewala. He recently organized and participated in a 550 Km Ultra run from Khardung Village in Ladakh to Manali in Himachal Pradesh over six mountain passes. He has never chased PBs but has always tried to enjoy his runs for a super strong finish with a smile. Sandy no longer stays in Kolkata but he still remains connected with his running buddies of the city and the joy of running with them keeps bringing him back to the city. He has participated in all previous editions of TSK25 and was even a Pacer in previous two editions. He has also been a Pacer before in couple of other events too 
and therefore has experienced the joy and happiness of runners who in his Pacer’s Bus could achieve their targets. Sandy wishes to experience it once again. Sandy has served the nation in Olive Greens proudly for 31 years.

• Running is my daily ritual, integral for both physical fitness and mental clarity. It keeps me fit, agile, and focused, serving as a form of meditation to reduce anxiety and clear my mind. 
• My running journey began in school and continued through military training. Starting with 10 kilometers, my participation in TSK25 in 2014 marked a shift. I've since 
  embraced half marathons, marathons, and challenging ultra runs in diverse cities and 
  terrains. 
• I've tackled popular events in major cities and challenging terrains like Ladakh, completing Garhwal Runs and the prestigious La Ultra (111 K). Running the 'Comrades' and other ultras showcases my commitment to endurance and diverse running challenges. 
• Beyond personal achievements, I find joy in being a pacer, helping fellow runners reach their goals. The satisfaction of supporting others motivates me, and I look forward to experiencing it again. 
• Despite not living in Kolkata, my ties to running buddies keep pulling me back. The joy of running with them, especially in events like TSK25, maintains my connection to the running community and the city's spirit.