There’s no stopping Suresh!

This June, 58-year-old Suresh Shankar Welankar will become the first disabled Indian athlete to run the Comrades Marathon – a milestone moment in the history of this iconic ultra.

Suresh, who lost his left arm at the age of four after a fall from a tree led to gangrene, has never let his disability define him. From delivering newspapers and washing cars as a boy to support his family, to cycling 550 km from Mumbai to Goa at the age of 22 with one arm, Suresh’s journey has been one of grit, resilience and sheer determination.

“I’ve never believed in limits,” he says. “Yes, I have one arm – but I have two legs, a strong heart and a will that refuses to give up. The Comrades is not just a race for me. It’s a message to every person who thinks they can’t, that they can.”

Now living in Thane, near Mumbai, Suresh only began running seriously in 2021. Inspired by local runners, he started with walks, progressed to 20-30 km weekend efforts and, eventually, built up to races. To date, he has completed 21 half marathons, nine full marathons and three ultramarathons, with a marathon personal best of 3:47.

His entry into the Comrades was earned through sweat and sacrifice. Weekdays start at 4am, long before his shift at Mazgaon Dock Shipyards. Weekends are reserved for punishing long runs of up to 40 km. His coach, six-time Comrades finisher Deepak Budhrani, says training Suresh (together with his coaching partner Ashish Bodhankar) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

“Suresh doesn’t make excuses. He works hard, listens, and pushes himself further every time,” says Deepak. “The loss of an arm affects running balance and endurance more than people realise. But he’s found a way to work through that. His heart is what carries him. He is ready for Comrades.”

The Comrades Marathon, nearly 90 kilometres of unrelenting hills between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, is considered one of the toughest races in the world. It is also a place where legends are made.

Suresh’s inclusion in the field is historic. For the Indian running community, his participation represents something much bigger than sport. It’s a story of inclusion, courage and the refusal to be boxed in.

“This is a proud moment for India,” says Amit Sheth, the official Comrades Marathon country ambassador for India. “Suresh is not only representing our nation, but also millions of people living with disabilities who dare to dream. He is a trailblazer and an inspiration.”

Suresh says the support of his family – all of whom are active in sport – has been a huge part of his journey. “They keep me going. We believe in each other.”

Come race day, all eyes will be on this determined man from Thane as he takes his place at the start of the Ultimate Human Race. And when he crosses that finish line, he’ll carry with him not just the hopes of a nation, but the undeniable proof that courage outruns limitation.

CN&CO founder Carel Nolte, who serves on the Comrades board, says stories like Suresh’s are an inspiration.

“Never say anything is impossible,” he says. “No matter your background or your circumstances, if you set your heart on achieving something, you can do it. Suresh is a case in point. From washing cars as a boy to running the Ultimate Human Race, his determination is a lesson to us all and a true embodiment of the spirit of Comrades.”