Maharashtra, September 2, 2026: A 47-year-old woman from Maharashtra has won a marathon after running barefoot in a saree, with the prize money earmarked for her daughter’s education.
Ramabai Ranveer, a resident of Ambajogai in Maharashtra’s Beed district, took part in the Amrit Daud Marathon, leaving several much younger competitors behind to claim first place. She won a prize of 3,000 Indian rupees, which she said she would spend on her daughter’s studies.
The marathon was organised in Ambajogai as part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations at Kholeshwar Educational Complex of the Bharatiya Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha.
The race began at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk and ended at Bhagyanagar Chowk, attracting a large number of young men and women from the local community.
Ramabai initially arrived at the event wearing a simple saree and slippers. But shortly after the race began, her footwear repeatedly came off while she was running. She eventually took off the slippers, held them in her hands and continued the race barefoot.
Running barefoot on a rough, stony road was far from easy, but Ramabai refused to stop. She gradually overtook one young competitor after another, maintaining her pace until she reached the finish line ahead of everyone else.
Her unexpected victory left spectators and organisers deeply moved. Her determination to run the race to help finance her daughter’s education drew widespread admiration at the event.
Ramabai said she plans to use the 3,000-rupee prize money entirely for her daughter’s education.
Her achievement was more than a victory in a local marathon. It became a powerful example of a mother’s determination, perseverance and sacrifice to secure a better future for her child.