Toughest man in India? Sukant Singh Suki runs 350 km race in 4 days

India Today

26-04-2025

Running 10K races has become increasingly common among white-collar professionals in a fitness-focused India. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the emphasis on physical and mental well-being has grown significantly—but some individuals have gone far beyond what they ever thought possible, even in their wildest dreams.One such individual is Mumbai's Sukant Singh Suki, who became the first Indian to finish three 200-mile ultramarathon races in the world. Between 2023-2025, Suki ran three races in Australia, all 200 miles long, showcasing the incredible feats humans can achieve. Suki ran the Delirious West race (twice) and the Unreasonable East in a remarkable achievement that is not widely recognised, or perhaps even appreciated, in a country like India.advertisementA full-time model. who also runs long distances for personal fulfilment, Suki caught up with IndiaToday.in to share the experience of his latest run at the Delirious West, organised between April 9-13 in the western part of Australia — from Northcliffe to Albany.
The endurance athlete ran 321 kilometres through the picturesque, yet dangerous coastline of Australia, running for nearly 94 hours straight, with little sleep and constant physical discomfort. Suki's latest feat was an example of mental toughness, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
START OF THE JOURNEYSpeaking to IndiaToday.in, Suki revealed that just before Covid-19 began, he was in the worst mental and physical shape of his life. A champion of mental health, Suki stressed that people needed to open up about the taboo subject more often to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.advertisement"In 2019, I was getting panic attacks. I was mentally, physically, and emotionally weak, and I was diagnosed with ADHD as well. Medicines for stress and depression didn't help, and that's when I took up running," Suki told in the interview.Suki went through many self-improvement books and finally took up long-distance running on a regular basis, something he had done intermittently before."Running long distances became my therapy. Running distances like 300 kilometres — only one percent of the world can do it. I was told that only 400 people in the world can run this race (Delirious West), it is that tough. So you get the sense that you are doing something big," Suki added.
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
Like everyone should, Suki also started small. He was accustomed to 10k and 20k runs from 2010-11 and gradually increased that to a full marathon. Before he knew it, those marathons turned into 100, 200, and 300-kilometre runs."It is not possible to run 350 km after waking up one day. Running 350 km without preparation is like committing suicide. You will die a brutal death. One thing is for sure — the organisers will disqualify you. You need a lot of training, endurance. I started with 10k, 12k ten years ago. I read a lot of books and got inspired by David Goggins," he said.MEETING WITH JOHN ABRAHAMadvertisementRunning distances like these is a money-intensive effort. Without proper support and an ecosystem, it is very difficult, let alone sustain the endeavour, to run even once. Suki revealed that one of the biggest support systems in his life has been actor John Abraham.John, well known for supporting Indian athlete ecosystems like NorthEast United, read one of the two books that Suki had written during Covid-19, and reached out to help him. The actor turned sports entrepreneur partially sponsored his campaign and promoted welfare for animals through his runs."John Abraham is such a big name, that the fact that he just touched me was a very big thing. When he said he would support me, that meant so much for me. He said he cared about my race, and that too in a country where no one cares about this at all," Suki said.
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
advertisementSuki also revealed that John even compared him to David Goggins — popularly known as one of the toughest men alive in the world for his ultramarathon running capabilities."When I spoke to John Abraham, he compared me to him, and I was surprised that he knew who David Goggins was," Suki said.THE DELIRIOUS WEST RACESuki's experience at the Delirious West Run, held this year between April 9-13, wasn't just another ultramarathon—it was a journey into the unknown. From difficult terrain to battling sleep, fighting off snakes, and avoiding kangaroos, it was not just a run but a fight for survival.'I completed a 321-kilometre race in 94 hours, it's called the Delirious West,' he says, recounting his incredible achievement. 'It runs from Northcliffe to Albany in Western Australia. This year, the distance was reduced to 321 kilometres from 350 kilometres due to bushfires in the area. This is the world's toughest race,' Suki said. The battle was not just physical, but mental as well. Not only did he have to face the forces of nature, but he also had to fight off sleep and hunger and the ever-present urge to rest just two minutes more. Only 61 participants started the race, and less than half finished. The journey wasn't for the faint of heart.advertisement'It was really a proud moment for me to raise the flag of India and finish the challenge. I am really grateful for this,' he says, reflecting on the significance of his achievement.
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
RISKS OF RUNNING AN ULTRAMARATHONSuki revealed that while there was a high in finishing the race, there are incredible risks involved, even for those who prepare to the best of their capabilities."Last year, when I was running, I was bleeding from my testicles. All of my nails had come off. Last year's race — 'Unreasonable East 200 Mile' in Queensland, Australia — was tougher than this because of the terrain. It was in the mountains, and it was raining, so it turned brutal. I finished that one in 105 hours. Only 27 athletes participated, and out of them, only 20 were able to finish. I don't know, even David Goggins might not have been able to complete it," Suki recalls his experience. advertisementThe worst part about running an ultramarathon, which Suki stresses again and again, is the lack of sleep and what that does to your body. Suki says the challenge is to push past that limit and get to the finish line. In fact, the organisers of the ultramarathons make sure that participants understand the risks and sign a waiver form — if you die, it is on you, and no one else."The most difficult part of running an ultramarathon is that you do not get to sleep at all. Imagine that you are not sleeping for four days. That is the tough part. Otherwise, everyone would run 350 kilometers. No sleep is an absolute nightmare. I finished in 94 hours, which is two hours less than four days. It takes a lot of determination and courage," Suki said."It is not a joke. They make you sign a contract that if you die, it is your responsibility. And it's not just the lack of sleep that will kill you. There are races where snakes chase you. If you get bitten by a them or kicked by a kangaroo, you are done. You definitely need luck to survive out there. You do get food and water from the organiser, but sleep is perhaps the most difficult part of it.""I was alone in that race. Generally, runners have a team around them. When I met John Abraham after the race, I told him that I was chanting his name 24 hours, hoping that it would take me through. In my mind, it was like only one person cares in the entire country, and he would ask me for the results. They had my live tracking. They provided my motivation — that you have to do it."
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESSFor Suki, the connection between his ultrarunning journey and mental health awareness is profound. In India, where mental health remains a taboo subject, he is keen to break the silence. 'Mental health is like a taboo in this country,' he says. 'People don't talk about it unless a movie star commits suicide. It's time we talk about it because there is nothing wrong with going to therapy. You have to be mentally strong to survive in this world.'His passion for mental health advocacy is evident when he discusses his motivations for running. 'When you are running in the jungle and on the mountain trails, a lot of things go through your mind. Why you are doing this, what is your motivation, who you are motivating. You can be an inspiration to yourself and to others. My cause was mental health and animal welfare.'TRAINING AND ITS CHALLENGESTraining for an ultramarathon is very different from traditional running. Suki revealed that it was not possible for someone living in Mumbai to train in the city due to the pollution and the traffic. Suki personally trained in the Himalayas and the Philippines, with running groups he has connected with over time."Mumbai is no place to run,' he admits. 'The traffic and the pollution. I am here because I work. I go to the mountains to train. I go to the Himalayas, to the Philippines to train, and I do my gym in Mumbai. The city's pollution is not good for your lungs," Suki said.
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
While many in India may not fully understand the nature of Suki's endeavour, he has found a strong ally in the Indian Navy. 'Indians do not understand what I am doing, but the Navy and Army do,' he explains. 'The Navy invited me last year for a TED talk, and I was shocked by the reception that I got. They know and value what 100 hours of running means.'For Suki, this recognition is something that fuels his fire to continue breaking barriers. "They know and they care. I was told that in our entire country, I am probably one of the 5 or 6 people who can do this kind of running. I was so inspired by that, and that fuelled my hunger further."REAL HERO, NOT REELThe impact of Suki's achievements currently remains in specialised circles like the army or the navy, who value the ability of their personnel to run long distances with very little food and sleep. Suki has been invited to multiple events, where he has shared his experiences and know-how.He knows that the skill set he has is not of use to the general public, but to specialised personnel, who motivate themselves with his achievements — the personnel who keep the country safe and take on incredibly important tasks where staying alert and clocking long hours is crucial.But Suki hopes that one day, his journey and achievements will become relevant to India's masses — where his journey becomes a part of a broader movement in India, where the idea of running long distances is slowly gaining ground.He credits another actor — Milind Soman — for sparking the interest in long-distance running in the country and hopes that his own journey will inspire a new generation of athletes. 'Milind Soman started the trend on a big scale in India. He has inspired so many people to run,' Suki says. 'I am hoping that more people will follow. There is so much talent in India. But the main concern is that there is a lack of support and education about it.'
Courtesy: Special Arrangement
Before concluding the interview, Suki revealed that at the TED talk in the navy event last year, he was taken aback by officers flocking towards him to take photos. At the event, a pleasantly surprised Suki politely told them that he was not Shah Rukh Khan, and maybe the honour of a selfie was too much.The reply he got at the event stuck in his mind. "Sir, you are a real hero, not a reel one." That's when it clicked for Suki — the impact he had been able to create.The runner dreams of a future where endurance sports are recognised and celebrated in India, with documentaries and podcasts shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of athletes like him. One day, he dreams that many, like him, will break the physical and mental barriers.Must Watch