Mum-of-Two Aims for Guinness Record in 5-Metre Saree at Manchester Marathon
A determined mother-of-two is set to challenge a Guinness World Record this weekend at the Manchester Marathon, wearing a traditional five-metre-long saree. Madhusmita Jena, known as Madu, hopes to complete the 26.2-mile race in under three hours and 50 minutes, beating the current record by five minutes. Her goal is to inspire women from all cultural backgrounds to embrace running in attire that makes them feel comfortable and empowered.
From New Mother to Marathon Runner
Madu, 46, began her running journey in October 2008 while living in Dubai, just four months after the birth of her first son. Feeling isolated as a new mum, she joined a local running group to get out of the house, initially expecting to run only 5 km. To her surprise, the group was training for the Dubai marathon and ran 16 km on her first day. Despite initial doubts, Madu completed the distance and fell in love with running.
"I laughed and told them that they were crazy, that I'm a new mother, just trying to get a bit of 'me' time," Madu recalled. "Somehow that day, I completed the 16km and absolutely loved the feeling, although I was sore for days."
She quickly progressed, running her first half-marathon two months later in one hour and 46 minutes. In January 2009, just seven months postpartum, she completed her first full marathon in three hours and 49 minutes, all while nursing her infant son.
A Lifelong Passion for Running
Seventeen years later, Madu has become a highly accomplished runner, with 42 marathons under her belt and a personal best of three hours and 27 minutes. She has tackled ultramarathons, including a 100 km race in Egypt and a 210 km trek across Rajasthan's Thar desert. After moving back to the UK in 2017, she transitioned from a banking career to teaching, but her passion for running remains unwavering.
Madu has previously run three full marathons and two half marathons in a saree, with her fastest time being four hours and 18 minutes at the 2024 Berlin Marathon. For the Manchester attempt, she needs to shave off 30 minutes to set the new record. She has adapted her saree draping technique to prevent tripping and chosen a lightweight material for comfort.
Inspiring Women Across Cultures
Madu's record attempt is deeply personal, aiming to challenge stereotypes and encourage women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. "I think it's an important platform for women of diverse ethnic backgrounds," she said. "I still hear from a lot of people who say that I'm lucky I can wear shorts or running tights, and they are not allowed to. I want to showcase to them that what you wear is your choice."
She emphasises the importance of prioritising self-care, especially for busy mothers. Madu trains daily at 4 am, balancing her roles as a teacher and parent. "Prioritise time for yourself. For your physical and mental health," she urged. "I am a busy mother, and I work out at 4 am every day to train for the marathon."
Overcoming Challenges
Madu faces additional hurdles, including peri-menopause, which has led her to adjust her training regimen. She now focuses on interval training instead of tempo runs to manage hormonal changes and energy levels. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to her goal, viewing running as a meditative practice that enhances her daily life as a mother.
"It's so important to make time for yourself," Madu explained. "Many people from South Asian backgrounds seem to assume that it makes you a bad mother or a bad wife to go out and make time for yourself."
Raising Funds for a Cause
During her record attempt, Madu is raising funds for Heaton School in Stockport, a secondary special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties, where she teaches. The proceeds will go towards an eye-gaze device to help children with cerebral palsy control computer screens using eye movements, a tool she describes as "life-changing."
Madu's journey reflects a broader shift in running culture, with more women from diverse backgrounds participating in marathons. "I rarely see people of my skin colour running in my early years of running," she noted. "But there is a perceptible change over the years... Even in the UK, I see more people who look like me running."
As she prepares for the Manchester Marathon, Madu hopes her story will inspire others to lace up their running shoes, regardless of their background or attire, proving that with determination, anything is possible.
