Meet the Woman who Ran a Marathon in a Saree to Champion Cultural Pride

In an impressive display of strength, determination, and cultural pride, Madhumita Jena Das, a British Odia woman, recently made history by completing a 42.5-kilometer marathon in Manchester while sporting a traditional, crimson Sambalpuri saree and vibrant orange sneakers. In just four hours and 50 minutes, she achieved a monumental feat that left people from around the world in awe of her remarkable accomplishment. The Friends of India Soc Intl UK’s official Twitter account shared a video and a photo of Das, 41 running energetically with a bright smile on her face, which went viral and gained over 47K views and 1,044K likes. Many Indians took to the comment section to express their admiration for Das's achievement. Das is a seasoned runner and was the only person running the marathon in a saree. She stated in an interview with the New Indian Express that she was inspired by her mother and grandmother, who wore sarees daily while performing strenuous labor. She disputed the idea that wearing a saree makes it impossible to run and claimed that she wears sarees during the summer in the UK regardless. Madhumita Jena Das's remarkable achievement in completing a marathon in a traditional saree has inspired many. Das's accomplishment has not only showcased her physical abilities but also highlighted the beauty and versatility of traditional Indian attire and culture. It is also an inspiration to many women who are reluctant to participate in physical activities due to societal pressure and cultural norms.