Saraswati Rai of Kalimpong, sponsored by Adidas, clinched victory in the TCS Bengaluru Open 10k. Despite being in her late 40s and a mother of two, she stands as one of the country’s premier female runners, securing the top rank with a remarkable time of 00:40:43.
Originally hailing from the Teesta Valley Tea Estate in Darjeeling, Saraswati currently resides in Kalimpong with her husband Pramod Rai, who serves in the Indian Army. Since 2015, Saraswati has been a stalwart in marathons, having taken part in various national and international events. Her repertoire includes the IDBI Marathon in Kolkata (three times), the World 10k in Bangalore (twice), the Sohra Cherrapunjee Marathon, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (where she secured second place), the Tata Steel Kolkata 25k (emerging as the overall female winner), and the Dharan Run.
Her prowess extends to track & field events as well, evident from her stellar performance at the Kerala Masters Meet in May 2022. There, she secured gold medals in the 10,000m, 5,000m, and 1,500m categories within the 40+ age group. Notably, Saraswati has consistently graced the podium in every marathon she’s entered, showcasing her enduring excellence in the sport.
