Ready, run, repeat: The 10×10 Run Challenge returns this October

In 2016 Deepak Oberoi and Priyanca Walanju founders of Bombay Running decided to run 10 kilometres every day for 10 straight days Initially with no sponsors no medals and no hashtags Just one question What will happen to you and your body if you run 10 kilometres every single dayWhat followed was far from exhaustion Those 10 days built a rhythm a community and a movement Today that experiment has evolved into the 10x10 Run Challenge mdash one of Mumbairsquos most enduring fitness rituals That impulsive challenge now called The 10x10 Run Challenge celebrates its 10th anniversary edition this October with over 2000 expected participants across India What began with a handful of friends in 2016 has evolved into a decadelong tradition that has transformed lives and built one of the countryrsquos most spirited running communitiesParticipants gearing for a runldquoThe idea was never about racingrdquo says Oberoi ldquoIt was about showing up it was more about discipline energy and joy Running changed my life and I wanted to pass that onrdquo Over the years the 10x10 has become a benchmark for consistency and camaraderie Runners talk about improved mental clarity sharper focus and the pure high of chasing sunrise kilometres with likeminded souls As Bombay Running gears to celebrate this milestone edition the 10x10 stands as more than just a challenge itrsquos a decade of resilience sweat and stories written on Mumbairsquos streetsMembers participate in a postrun stretch at Girgaon ChowpattyBack in 2016 running in India was emerging as a serious sport mdash timing the run competition performance and pressure Oberoi and Walanju saw something missing which was joy and the adrenaline rush ldquoRunning clubs were all about speed and distance We wanted to focus on the feelingrdquo he recalls And so Bombay Running was born a running crew with a simple goal to bring people together through movement From a few runners meeting at dawn to a thriving community that has trained community filled the gap between highperformance athletes and everyday people looking to move with purposeldquoRunning has taught me patience resilience and the importance of consistency We wanted to share that with anyone ready to start their own fitness journey and the 10x10 Run Challenge started with a simple slightly quirky question ldquoWhat will happen if we run 10 kilometres every day for 10 days covering 100 kilometres in totalrdquo Oberoi explainsPriyanca Walanju and Deepak OberoildquoWe honestly thought wersquod burn outrdquo he admits ldquoInstead we found something amazing mdash better sleep sharper focus and a sense of discipline that spilled into the rest of our lives By day five the body starts to protest By day seven the mind takes over By day 10 most runners say they feel unstoppable ldquoThatrsquos the magic of the 10x10rdquo he maintainsEach year the initiative kicks off in October and by the final day the crew celebrates with laughter and of course a wellearned beer ldquoInstead of medals we also give runners a license plate with their name on it for a run well donerdquo explains OberoiA moment from a warmup sessionldquoThis is our passion projectrdquo reminds Oberoi ldquoWersquove seen highs and lows but what keeps us grounded are the people Every edition brings transformations Itrsquos humbling to see how far wersquove comerdquo he adds ldquoThe 10x10 is proof that consistency beats intensity mdash every single time Consistency is the key to everythingrdquo Oberoi and Walanju reflect ldquoItrsquos what builds runners and itrsquos what builds liferdquoWho Can ParticipateThe challenge is open to everyone from amateur joggers to seasoned marathoners All you need is the will to show up every day Walk jog run or mix it up as long as you complete 10 km daily yoursquore in ldquoItrsquos not about speedrdquo says Oberoi ldquoItrsquos about commitment The 10x10 belongs to anyone who believes in movementrdquoLicense plates are given to participants instead of medals as a mark of their achievementDorsquos and DonrsquotsDosCome with positive energy and an open mind Support fellow runners mdash this is a crew not a competitionHydrate stretch and rest well between runsDonrsquotsDonrsquot compare yourself with others Always run at your own paceDonrsquot skip recovery mdash consistency matters more than speedRoute amp DatesDay 1 October 24The Park Club Shivaji ParkDay 2 October 25Novotel Juhu BeachDay 3 October 26Madame Cama RoadDay 4 October 27Eastern Express Highway Ghatkopar DepotDay 5 October 28Mahalaxmi Race CourseDay 6 October 29CST Viewing GalleryDay 7 October 30Bandra FortDay 8 October 31Chembur Diamond GardenDay 9 November 1Worli PromenadeDay 10 November 2NCPA