On the occasion of International Women’s Day, five-time Guinness World Record holder and one of India’s most inspiring endurance athletes, Sufiya Sufi, shared her belief that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. She emphasized the need to break free from self-imposed limitations and cultivate an unrelenting passion for their goals.
Quoting the famous lines, “Kaun kehta hai aasmaan mein surakh nahi ho sakta, ek patthar toh tabiyat se uchhalo yaaron,” Sufiya has truly embodied this spirit. She left behind a well-established career in aviation to pursue her dream of becoming a world-class endurance runner.
The Power of Passion and Obsession
“When you have a passion for something, that passion drives you to push boundaries. At that moment, you don’t think about challenges or hurdles—your only focus is on achieving your goal. Passion and a bit of craziness for what you want are essential. No matter the field you choose, you should have that level of obsession to succeed,” Sufiya told IANS in an exclusive interaction.
Her journey into running started in 2018 when she sought an escape from her demanding aviation job. What began as a simple way to relax soon evolved into a life-changing passion. Since then, she has entered the Guinness Book of Records five times, setting new benchmarks in ultrarunning for India.
Sufiya holds several records, including completing the challenging Manali-Leh stretch on foot in 2022, becoming the fastest female to finish the Golden Quadrilateral in 2021, and achieving the fastest woman’s traverse from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 2019. She has also undertaken the Tribute Run, dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of Kargil war heroes.
A Journey Born from Change
“My journey didn’t begin with a burning passion; I simply wanted to break free from corporate life and do something different. After leaving my aviation job, I started running. Initially, it was just in a park, but over time, it became a true calling,” she recalled.
Her first major run in 2019, covering Kashmir to Kanyakumari, marked her entry into the Guinness World Records for road running. In 2020, she completed the Golden Quadrilateral run, covering 6,000 km across four metro cities.
“Then I ventured into mountain running, completing a run from Siachen to Kargil as a tribute to the Indian Army. I also ran across Qatar, from south to north, setting yet another record. Taking on such challenges has made me realize I can push myself even further,” she said.
Overcoming Challenges with Unshakable Self-Belief
Sufiya shared that despite facing obstacles, she never wavered in her belief in herself. She stressed the importance of eliminating doubt when pursuing something new.
“The challenges started right at the beginning, particularly when I decided to leave behind a stable corporate career. People were unfamiliar with ultrarunning at the time, so choosing this path was a major step into the unknown. However, I felt that pioneering something new was an achievement in itself.
“The biggest challenge was financial support, but over time, things started falling into place. I never allowed doubts to take root in my mind. When you embark on a journey, you must do so with complete conviction—there should be no question marks in your mind,” she said.
Empowering Women to Recognize Their Inner Strength
Delivering a powerful message to women, Sufiya encouraged them to stop setting limits for themselves. She urged them to recognize their own strength instead of making excuses about societal or family constraints.
“Women often impose boundaries on themselves. In my community, there were many restrictions on women, and I was the first girl to step out and work. The first step is believing in yourself—only then can you convince others that what you’re doing is right. Recognizing your inner strength is key. Trust yourself first before worrying about societal expectations,” she emphasized.
A Strong Advocate for Fitness and Well-being
Sufiya also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fight Against Obesity’ initiative, calling it a much-needed step towards a healthier nation.
“It’s an excellent initiative. Whether you are a housewife or a professional, fitness should be a top priority. More importantly, mental fitness is just as crucial. You don’t have to be a sportsperson to stay fit—regardless of your occupation, maintaining fitness is essential,” she said.
The Next Big Challenge: Running Around the Globe
Sufiya is now gearing up for her most ambitious challenge yet—‘Run Around the Globe’, where she plans to cover 40,000 km in 680 days, making her the first female runner to attempt such a feat.
With her relentless spirit, unyielding passion, and inspiring journey, Sufiya continues to break barriers and redefine endurance sports for women worldwide.
