Teacher Aims to Break Marathon Record Running in a Saree

A mother of two is turning cultural pride into athletic achievement, and her message could inspire women around the world to lace up their running shoes.

Madhusmita Jena, a 46-year-old special education teacher from England, will attempt to break a Guinness World Record at the Manchester Marathon on April 19. Her challenge? Completing the 26.2-mile race in a traditional saree in under three hours and 50 minutes.

The current record belongs to India's Kranti Salvi, who finished the 2018 Berlin Marathon in a red nine-yard saree with a time of three hours, 57 minutes, and seven seconds. Jena will need to shave off almost half an hour from her personal best to claim the title.

But for Jena, this isn't just about breaking records. "My initial motivation for running in a saree was to represent Indian culture and heritage, but it's since blossomed into promoting how women can run in whatever makes them feel most comfortable," she said.

This won't be her first saree marathon. She's already completed three full marathons and two half marathons in the traditional South Asian garment. Her fastest time was four hours and 18 minutes at the 2024 Berlin Marathon.

To meet the challenge, Jena has modified how she drapes the six-yard saree to prevent it from catching on her feet. She also chooses lightweight materials to improve comfort and efficiency during races.

Her running journey began in Dubai when her eldest son was just three months old. She joined a marathon training group to get out of the house and quickly fell in love with the sport. "I found giving myself time to do something I enjoy helped me be a better mother," she explained.

Seven months later, she completed her first marathon in three hours and 49 minutes. Now navigating perimenopause in her forties, Jena has adapted her training to include more interval work and weight training to maintain her energy levels.

The Ripple Effect

Jena's advocacy has already made waves beyond her personal achievements. She championed the right for women wearing hijabs to run in Egypt, which sparked "saree runs" in villages across India. Her upcoming record attempt could create even more momentum for inclusive athletic wear.

"Achieving this record in England would give me the platform to show British Asians, and by extension, women globally just what they can achieve for themselves," she said.

She's also using the marathon to raise funds for Heaton School in Stockport, where she teaches young people with severe learning difficulties. The money will purchase an eye gaze device that enables students with conditions like Cerebral Palsy to control computers using eye movement, technology she describes as "life-changing."

From representing her heritage to empowering women worldwide, Jena proves that sometimes the most powerful statements are made one mile at a time.