From the First Step to the Podium : Pankaj Madaan's Border Experience
Five years ago, I laced up my shoes without any grand ambition. All I wanted was to stay active. But with every passing mile, running became more than a habit; it became a lens through which I understood endurance, patience, and mental fortitude. Today, looking back at three completed 100-mile ultramarathons, I realize how profoundly this sport has shaped me.
Last year, in 2024, I had one of my proudest moments on this journey – a podium finish at The Border 100 Miler, the iconic race from Jaisalmer to Longewala organised by The Hell Race. With a sub-19 hours goal and months of dedicated training, I completed the race in 18:23 hours, achieving a personal best and securing a place on the podium. That accomplishment marked a hat-trick of 100-mile finishes for me and became a milestone I continue to draw strength from even today.
But the podium was only one part of the story. The real journey was built on everything that led to that finish:
Recovering from the injuries and setbacks that came the year before.
Staying consistent through months of base building, peak mileage, and a careful taper.
Executing a race plan crafted long before the training cycle even began.
And above all, finishing strong, healthy, and grateful.
The Race day tested every aspect of my preparation. I started at marathon pace despite the heat and rolling terrain, reminding myself to trust the process. I crossed the half-marathon in 1:48, the full marathon in 3:48, and reached 50 km in 4:39, a personal record at Border for me.
The stretch between 40 km and 65 km demanded smart adjustments. I switched to a cycle of 100m walking and 900m running to recover from the early intensity. After 65 km, I settled back into rhythm, holding a steady 6 min/km pace. Hitting the 99 km mark at 10:11 hours felt like confirmation that the plan was working, and that a sub-18 finish was within reach. Though I eventually closed at 18:23, the joy of finishing strong and injury-free was incomparable.
Looking back from the present, that race remains one of the defining chapters of my journey. It marked the end of one of the most challenging years of my life and became a reminder of how resilience and faith can transform struggle into strength.
I carry immense gratitude for the journey, for the people who supported me, and for the endless roads still waiting to be explored.
Here’s to more miles, more learning, and many more finish lines.
Run on.
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