03:39Sulatha Kamath is defying societal norms and breaking age stereotypes in India and beyond by completing marathons barefoot at the age of 73.
Footage shows Kamath training around the streets of her home town, Karnataka State's city of Mangaluru. She can be seen running barefoot on asphalt and stretching after her exercise.
The runner emphasised the need for regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet to avoid common illnesses among elders, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
"Even if you become old, you will still look younger when you follow a disciplined lifestyle and look 50 even when you are 70. The food intake should be limited, not too much and always prefer home food and avoid pizza and burgers," Kamath said.
"My advice to the younger generation is that education is important but physical fitness is equally important and the youth should avoid spending too much time on cellphones and watching TV," she continued.
Over the years, Sulatha has amassed around 1,100 medals from various competitions, both nationally and internationally, taking part in at least 22 marathons abroad.
"There is no end to my running. As long as I am alive I will run," she said. "I like running so much, I feel like floating in the air while running due to my slim body, it gives me happiness when I run, even if I don't have money it is fine, but I will not stop running."
Last Sunday, Kamath earned the third place award in the 21-kilometre category at the Niveus Mangalore Marathon, clocking an impressive time of 2:51:48.
Ageless ambition! 73-year-old Indian runner defies age one marathon at a time
Sulatha Kamath is defying societal norms and breaking age stereotypes in India and beyond by completing marathons barefoot at the age of 73.
Footage shows Kamath training around the streets of her home town, Karnataka State's city of Mangaluru. She can be seen running barefoot on asphalt and stretching after her exercise.
The runner emphasised the need for regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet to avoid common illnesses among elders, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
"Even if you become old, you will still look younger when you follow a disciplined lifestyle and look 50 even when you are 70. The food intake should be limited, not too much and always prefer home food and avoid pizza and burgers," Kamath said.
"My advice to the younger generation is that education is important but physical fitness is equally important and the youth should avoid spending too much time on cellphones and watching TV," she continued.
Over the years, Sulatha has amassed around 1,100 medals from various competitions, both nationally and internationally, taking part in at least 22 marathons abroad.
"There is no end to my running. As long as I am alive I will run," she said. "I like running so much, I feel like floating in the air while running due to my slim body, it gives me happiness when I run, even if I don't have money it is fine, but I will not stop running."
Last Sunday, Kamath earned the third place award in the 21-kilometre category at the Niveus Mangalore Marathon, clocking an impressive time of 2:51:48.
Sulatha Kamath is defying societal norms and breaking age stereotypes in India and beyond by completing marathons barefoot at the age of 73.
Footage shows Kamath training around the streets of her home town, Karnataka State's city of Mangaluru. She can be seen running barefoot on asphalt and stretching after her exercise.
The runner emphasised the need for regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet to avoid common illnesses among elders, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
"Even if you become old, you will still look younger when you follow a disciplined lifestyle and look 50 even when you are 70. The food intake should be limited, not too much and always prefer home food and avoid pizza and burgers," Kamath said.
"My advice to the younger generation is that education is important but physical fitness is equally important and the youth should avoid spending too much time on cellphones and watching TV," she continued.
Over the years, Sulatha has amassed around 1,100 medals from various competitions, both nationally and internationally, taking part in at least 22 marathons abroad.
"There is no end to my running. As long as I am alive I will run," she said. "I like running so much, I feel like floating in the air while running due to my slim body, it gives me happiness when I run, even if I don't have money it is fine, but I will not stop running."
Last Sunday, Kamath earned the third place award in the 21-kilometre category at the Niveus Mangalore Marathon, clocking an impressive time of 2:51:48.