The Malad resident spent six days at home, three days at a clinic and 11 days at a neighbours house which was unoccupied
Kamalaksha Rao. All Pics/Facebook Kamalaksha Rao
A 73-year-old man, who defeated the COVID-19 virus nearly two months ago, has hit the ground running. Malad resident Kamalaksha Rao recently participated in the virtual London Marathon, thereby covering a distance of 42km in seven hours. The septuagenarian ran the marathon in his neighbourhood in the suburbs of Malad.
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Not allowing the global pandemic to dampen his love and enthusiasm for running, Roa did a 10 km run before heading to the doctor for a check-up back in July. After being tested positive for COVID-19, Rao took extra care by quarantining himself and focussing on recovery, reports Times of India.
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The Malad resident spent six days at home, three days at a clinic and 11 days at a neighbour's house which was unoccupied. After testing negative, Rao sought the appointment of a cardiologist to find out if he could resume running. Once he got the green signal, Rao started training for the London Marathon. Rao, who retired from his job at a textile company in 2004, said he discovered his passion for running at the age of 67.
"I would see people running and ask if I could join," Rao said. The septuagenarian has come a long way since then and has participated in a bunch of ultramarathons in which the distances are more than 42km. Had it not been for COVID-19, Rao would have attempted his longest 160-km run in April this year. The longest he has clocked till now is 100km. When the COVID-19 enforced lockdown rules were in force, Rao did a 50-km run inside his home.
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At the London Marathon, which took place on Sunday, Rao took it easy and walked many portions of the virtual run. "I could have finished in five or six hours, but I thought it would be prudent to go slow," he said. Rao said his wife, who was a sprinter in her youth, has been asking him to take it easy.
1981
When the first London marathon was held
42km
The standard marathon distance
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