Fitness shouldn’t depend on the weather,” says Abhay Panchal, one of the organisers behind Kaam Bhari’s July 16 marathon in Thane. The Mumbai monsoon is inevitable, but as Panchal points out, many runners are not deterred by this weather. In fact, monsoon running brings its own fair share of challenges, even though the rainy weather might be a good time for people looking to pick up a new athletic pastime and build up their fitness.

“As someone who struggles with a high heart rate when it’s very hot,” says Radhika Tonsey, who has been an amateur triathlete since 2017, “I use the opportunity to run during the monsoon. Unlike during the summer months, where I’m inclined to do more indoor workouts, it’s easy to cool down when it’s raining, so I love running during this season.” Despite the weather being cooler, Rakhee Bathija, who is organising a 10 km monsoon run in Chembur this year, offers some words of caution.