Mumbai woman in nauvari sets record at Berlin Marathon

City runner Kranti Salvi, who participated in the Berlin Marathon in her nauvari, has not only been there done that, but also set a record! She’s set a record for the ‘Fastest Marathoner in a Sari’. The Malabar Hill-based IT entrepreneur wore a red cotton-silk traditional sari that she had specially bought for the race, and says, “Who says you can’t run in a nine-yard sari? One can do so in any attire!”
‘I feel proud to put the traditional sari on the world’s platform’

Kranti, who came back to Mumbai, was inundated with calls and good wishes when she arrived.“It was like doing another marathon of phone calls and interviews after I landed. Best part is, right at the airport itself, I was greeted by an immigration officer who knew of the achievement. I feel blessed and humbled to receive such recognition,” she says.
Kranti holds aloft her title for 'Fastest Marathoner in a Sari'
The race itself was exciting and she’s thrilled to have taken part. “I feel proud that I could showcase India, Maharashtra, and the nauvari on the world’s platform where more than 140 nationalities were present. Berlin is the largest marathon of the world with over 50,000 participants and the route itself is famous for setting world records. Many runners who joined me for a short time enroute were curious and asked me about how I’m feeling running in a sari. I told them I was enjoying it. It was not easy doing 42 kms as the sari comes with its challenges, but if you have the spirit and you train hard enough, you can definitely do it,” adds Kranti.
Meet the other Mumbaikar who ran the Bali marathon in a dhoti
Prafull Sawant runs in a dhoti during the Bali Marathon
Meanwhile, Mulund-based businessman Prafull Sawant also ran the 10K International Maybank Bali Marathon this September in a traditional Maharashtrian attire — he wore a dhoti! Recalls, Prafull, “The locals in Bali were so excited and clicked pictures with me. I was the only one in traditional dress, the rest were in sports attire. In Bali, they have a similar attire, so at first, they thought this was that. But those who had visited India recognised the garment, and cheered ‘Come on, India!’ when I was running; it felt great! I also finished three minutes early at a time of one 1 hour, 18 minutes.” So why a dhoti? “On January 26, this year, I took part in the Dubai Marathon where I ran with the Indian national flag. Many who were present, said they loved the Indian touch, so I decided to incorporate a traditional look in the Bali Marathon, too. I met the Maharashtra CM before I left and told him I want to do something different and that I planned to wear the dhoti; he was happy.”