NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, October 8, 2025: When the world’s best endurance athletes gather this October in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, for the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship 2025, one man will carry India’s flag — Sunil Sharma, the country’s only qualified participant in this grueling global challenge.
The event, known as one of the most demanding races in the world, tests not just the body but the human spirit itself. Competitors must complete a 6.7 km loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains standing. Runners from 72 countries will take part, but for Sharma, each step will represent far more than personal endurance — it will be a stride for India, for social causes, and for the countless lives he has touched through his mission-driven running.
A Record-Breaking Runner with a Cause
A national record holder, Sharma set India’s benchmark in the Backyard Ultra Marathon by completing 348 km in 52 hours — a feat that pushed the boundaries of human endurance. But his story is not just about physical strength; it’s about compassion, social change, and using sport as a platform for service.
Over the years, Sharma has become known as the runner who never runs for himself. Every marathon, ultra, or challenge he undertakes carries a message — from “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save and Educate the Girl Child) to environmental awareness and support for farmers, soldiers, and underprivileged families.
His runs have raised money and awareness for countless causes:
- Save Forest, Save Water Run: 127 km from Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake to Renuka Lake in under 14 hours.
- Run for Fit India: A Delhi-to-Mumbai endurance challenge promoting health and unity.
- Run for Mothers – Farmers’ Suicide Awareness: In Maharashtra, Sharma helped raise funds and personally donated 21 Gir cows to struggling farmers.
- Run for Soldiers: Raised ₹50 lakhs to support disabled and martyred soldiers.
- Run Against Drugs – “Hate Drugs, Love Life”: Encouraging youth to embrace health over addiction.
- The Great Sirmaur Run: A fundraiser supporting medical and educational needs of underprivileged families.
Founder of R.U.N — Miles with Meaning
Sharma’s humanitarian spirit is embodied in Rashtriya Ujjwal Nirmaan (R.U.N), the NGO he founded to turn running into a vehicle for change. To date, the organization has donated over ₹2 crore, helping more than 1,000 people — from patients and children to soldiers’ families.
“Every kilometer should count for someone,” Sharma has often said — a belief that transforms his races into missions of hope.
Championing Women in Sport
Among Sharma’s most inspiring contributions is his mentorship of Bhagirathi Bisht, a young woman from a small village in Uttarakhand. Recognizing her determination, Sharma trained and supported her journey into ultra-running — a field largely dominated by men.
Through Bhagirathi’s success, Sharma’s message of empowerment found a living symbol. “His support gave me the courage to believe I belong here,” Bhagirathi once said. Their shared journey illustrates Sharma’s deeper purpose: to use sports as a means to uplift women and inspire equality.
The Man Behind the Miles
When he’s not running 20–25 kilometers a day, Sharma is often found encouraging blood donation — a cause close to his heart. Having donated blood 28 times, he urges young people to see health and compassion as their greatest strengths.
In an age when athletic achievement is often measured in medals and fame, Sunil Sharma redefines victory as service. His forthcoming challenge in Tennessee is not just a race — it’s the continuation of a lifelong marathon for humanity, equality, and change.
As India’s lone representative at the Backyard Ultra World Championship, Sharma will run — not just to endure, but to inspire a nation.
Cover photo credit: Sunil Sharma/Instagram.
