When Suraj Meena, a 27-year-old ex-boxer from Rajasthan, decided to tackle the Hell Race The Border 100K in 2024, nobody guessed he would smash the course record. Yet there he was, dashing across the finish in 9 hours 31 minutes, an achievement that stunned everyone. Grab a chai and prepare for one incredible story of grit, halwa-fueled motivation, and unstoppable willpower.
The Workplace: Edify Sports & Tent City
Suraj works under Edify Sports at a place often called “Tent City.” This setup is designed for tourists eager to experience nature, local culture, and scenic views—by bicycle.
- Guest Inquiries: Suraj mans the reception area, greeting curious travelers looking for adventurous or laid-back tours.
- Scheduling: He checks everyone’s availability, organizes group sizes, and decides which routes fit best with weather conditions and visitor preferences.
- Equipment Check: Before each tour, Suraj ensures the bikes are in good shape—tires, gears, and brakes. A well-maintained fleet helps avoid mishaps on the road.
Balancing Work & Running
Suraj’s job demands flexibility and extended hours. Some days, multiple back-to-back tours occur, while on others, bookings might be sparse.
- Morning Runs: If a sunrise tour isn’t scheduled or gets canceled, Suraj uses the early hours for running.
- Post-Tour Workouts: If the morning tour finishes early, he might slip in an afternoon tempo run before any evening bookings.
- Night-time Rest: Working at odd times (early mornings, late evenings) means Suraj catches rest whenever possible to keep his energy reserves stable.
Suraj’s Take: “It’s not easy—sometimes you finish a late tour at 8 PM, then a sunrise tour is booked at 5 AM. You adapt, train smart, and keep moving forward.”
From the Ring to the Road
Suraj began his athletic journey as a state-level boxing champ with two bronze medals, landing punch after punch in the ring. Despite enduring intense sparring sessions where he even broke his nose twice, Suraj prides himself on never being knocked out in an official match.
“I used to laugh in the ring, even when throwing punches. Coach told me to be serious, but I couldn’t help enjoying every moment!”
During lockdown, his boxing stadium shut down. Rather than throwing in the towel, he switched gears to long-distance running—and boy, did he turn heads! With a mindset toughened by sparring and speed bags, Suraj discovered his passion for chasing new personal bests on the track, road, and trails.
A favorite desi phrase to remember: “Dum lagao aur aage badho!” or “Give it your all and move forward!”
The 100K that Changed Everything
In 2024, Suraj lined up for the Hell Race The Border 100K, a grueling race known for its rugged terrain and scorching climate. Despite minimal ultra experience, he finished in a mind-boggling 9 hours 31 minutes, setting a brand-new course record. Oh, and did we mention it was his first official 100K (and Ultra)?
Ultra Marathon Training Secrets
- Embracing the Deserted Road: Suraj’s secret training ground? A deserted stretch called “Road to Heaven,” flanked by salt flats on both sides. Running at 4 AM on those eerie roads taught him to carry only the basics—water, a small bottle of electrolytes, and a GoPro.
- Slow & Steady Start: A 100K is no joke. Suraj began with a gentle pace, around 5:15–5:30 per kilometer, preserving energy for when the going got rough. He didn’t worry about fancy gels—just sipped on salted water or nibbled the occasional date.
- Minimalist Fuelling: Believe it or not, Suraj rarely uses sports gels. He opts for plain water, a pinch of salt, or the occasional date for quick energy. “Agar man kare, toh khajoor khaa lo (If you feel like it, just eat a date),” he jokes.
- Unorthodox Tactics: When his feet screamed at 60 km, Suraj switched to 100-meter spells of backward running to loosen up. Odd? Perhaps. Effective? Definitely.
- Low-Key Diet: He’s not one to fuss over macros. Sweets like jalebi and wintertime jaggery keep him happy. “Jo mile, jab mile (Whatever you find, whenever you find it)!” is his mantra.
- The Halwa Factor: Believe it or not, the mere thought of halwa at the finish line kept him motivated. At 60 km, someone promised halwa at the finish. From that moment on, he couldn’t stop dreaming about the sweet reward waiting at 100 km. “Bas thodi door aur, phir halwa!” (Just a little farther, then halwa!) became his mantra.
“The distance is what you make of it. Run, eat halwa, repeat!”
How Suraj Met Coach Vijay
- The Early Days: Skipping and Curiosity
Suraj was no stranger to physical activity—he started as a boxer, then pivoted to running after his boxing stadium shut down during lockdown. Yet he lacked structured training plans, speed workouts, or specialized drills.
One morning at Jaipur’s Central Park, Suraj was practicing his usual routine: a run followed by advanced skipping drills. He had mastered moves like crossovers, double-under, and quick-step footwork—skills gleaned from years in the boxing ring. Onlookers were intrigued by his unique skipping style.
“I’d be there with my rope, doing crossovers like it was second nature,” Suraj says with a chuckle. Several runners in the park approached him, eager to learn these fancy skip moves.
Among these onlookers was a runner connected to a training group coached by Coach Vijay. She struck up a conversation with Suraj, who was happy to demonstrate his skipping techniques.
When Suraj and Coach Vijay met, it was an instant meeting of minds. Suraj was open-minded, hungry for guidance, and determined to improve his marathon times. Coach Vijay saw raw talent and recognized that Suraj’s boxing-honed stamina could be refined with targeted running drills.
Speed Workouts:
- Suraj had done mostly long, unstructured runs.
- Coach Vijay introduced intervals, tempo runs, and fartlek sessions to build speed and endurance.
Strength & Core:
- Coming from a boxing background, Suraj already had decent core strength.
- Coach Vijay helped him channel that power into an efficient running stride.
Nutrition & Hydration Basics:
- Suraj was a minimalist who mostly ran on water and occasional electrolytes.
- Vijay emphasized timed hydration, plus simple snacks like salted dates or bananas during longer training runs.
At the time, Suraj juggled late-night shifts at Burger King (7 PM to 4 AM). Sleep was minimal. Yet every morning, Suraj would arrive at Central Park to meet Vijay for training. The coach often called Suraj at dawn to ensure he’d show up. There were days when Suraj, half-asleep, almost ran into pillars while training. But the discipline stuck, and Suraj’s times improved drastically:
- Full Marathon: From around 3:10 to 2:49 in top-tier events like Tata Mumbai Marathon.
- Half Marathon: Clocked an impressive 1:21 in Delhi.
As Suraj puts it, “Coach Vijay guided me when I was clueless. Without him, I might still be wandering between boxing and running.”
Start Line: 0–10 km
- The Buzz: Suraj stands at the start line holding two precious items: a handheld water bottle and a small pouch of salted electrolytes. He has a GoPro in one hand, eager to capture every moment.
- Pacing Strategy: Suraj plans a restrained start—around 5:15–5:30 min/km. This might feel slow for someone who has clocked marathons in under 3 hours, but 100 km is a different beast.
- First Aid Stations: Within this first 10 km, Suraj passes the initial checkpoint. He doesn’t drink much—just a quick sip of water. He’s saving his electrolytes for later, believing if he starts too fast or over-hydrates, he’ll pay for it in the later miles.
Suraj’s Thought: “The body’s fresh. Don’t blow it in the first hour. Marathon pace is out of the question here. Patience!”
The Next Stretch: 10–20 km
- Easing Into Rhythm: Suraj settles into a comfortable tempo, still around 5:20 min/km. He nods or waves to fellow runners. Some are chatty; Suraj mostly keeps to himself and his steady footfalls.
- Minimal Fuel: He’s still not taking in solid food—just small sips of electrolyte mix every few kilometers. Typically, runners rely on energy gels, but Suraj’s approach is simpler: “Agar man kare, toh khajoor khaa lo!” (“If you feel like it, just eat a date!”). However, at this point, he hasn’t felt the need.
Mental Note: “Stay calm. I have 80 km more to go. Let’s enjoy the cool morning air.”
20–30 km: Growing Confidence
- Quick Snack & Refill: Hearing he’s in the first place, Suraj takes a moment to grab a quick bite—maybe a small snack from the aid station. He refills his handheld bottle and dissolves a fresh pinch of salt. Still no big meal, though; he’s wary of stomach cramps.
Volunteer’s Comment: “Bhai, you’re leading!”
Suraj’s Response: “Really? Thik hai, let’s keep going.”
30–40 km: The Deserted Stretch
- Minimal Support: Fewer spectators. The next aid station isn’t jam-packed with cheers. Still, Suraj’s mind is clear—he likes running in solitude, just as he does during training.
- Mind Games Begin: Thoughts start to swirl—“I’m only about one-third done.” But his legs feel good. He keeps reminding himself to remain calm and not chase a crazy pace.
Suraj’s Thought: “Boxing taught me mental focus. Keep that guard up—just like a 3-round fight."
40–50 km: The First Dip
- Fatigue Creeps In: Right around the 45 km mark, Suraj feels the first hint of real exhaustion. The morning cool is gone; the sun’s higher, heat intensifying.
- Walk-Run Strategy: He starts mixing short walks—just 30 seconds or so—to loosen tight calves. Then he’ll pick back up to a run. “It’s a long day. Pace yourself,” he mutters under his breath.
- Mental Low Point: He briefly questions, “Why am I doing this?” Then he remembers the halwa rumor—someone mentioned halwa at the 100 km mark. That simple promise becomes his mental carrot.
50–60 km: Breaking Through the Wall
- Halfway Mark (50 km): Suraj reminds himself, “If this were a 50K event, I’d be done.” A quick wave of frustration hits him—“Now I have to do this entire distance again?!” Yet he keeps moving.
- Back-Running Spells: Suraj’s quads and calves feel stiff. Remembering a boxing drill, he spontaneously does 100–200 meters of backward running to loosen up. In one training session, he’d clocked 5 km backward in 30 minutes—wild, but it worked for him.
- Aid Station Stop: A volunteer hands him water, salted snacks, and a chance to rest. Suraj sees no immediate threat behind him. Another 100K runner is about 500–1,000 meters away, but Suraj isn’t frantic about losing position—he just wants to finish strong.
- Mini-Refresh: Suraj splashes water on his face, refills his bottle, and continues. His overall pace has slipped slightly, but he’s okay with it—he’s playing the long game.
Suraj’s Humor: “If I had known it’d be this tough, I might’ve stuck to boxing!”
60–62 km: Pit Stop & Coach’s Support
- Meeting Coach Vijay: Around 62 km, Suraj’s coach, Vijay, is waiting. He volunteered to help at the race, juggling duties for various runners. But when Suraj arrives, the focus shifts to him.
- Feet in Pain: Suraj’s feet are sore from the pounding. He’d originally planned to change shoes or socks here but forgot to organize the second pair properly. Coach Vijay locates Suraj’s gear—a pair of older, more broken-in trainers. Quick shoe swap.
- Physical Check: Suraj gets a rapid massage, or “stitching,” as he calls it—essentially pressing acupressure points to relieve cramped muscles. He downs a few salted dates, maybe a morsel of halwa if available, but mostly a small meal.
- Energy Boost: This 10–15 minute break is critical. Suraj’s morale spikes just seeing a familiar face.
Coach Vijay’s Tip: “Get back out there. Easy pace, but don’t slow to a crawl. You’re doing great!”
62–70 km: The Desert Lull
- Isolation: After leaving Coach Vijay, Suraj hits one of the race’s loneliest segments. Minimal crowd support, just a volunteer or two here and there.
- Mind Over Matter: At 70 km, dizziness tries to creep in. He slows, takes a few deep breaths, and munches a date. Another runner passes by—though it might be a 100-miler participant. They chat briefly, but Suraj stays focused.
Suraj’s Thought: “I’ve come too far to quit. 30 km left—like a shorter ultra. I can do this.”
70–80 km: Renewed Determination
- Volunteer Encounter: Around 72–75 km, a volunteer jokes, “Kuch Pata hai ya nahin kitne log aapse aage hain.” Suraj shrugs. He’s not worried about who’s leading now—just finishing.
- Steady Pace Returns: His slow spells alternate with surges. He’s roughly maintaining 5:20–5:30 min/km again—remarkable for someone deep into an ultra.
- Short Conversations: He meets a driver in a pickup who checks if he’s on the correct route. The race route is tricky around desert roads, but Suraj retraces steps carefully to ensure no wrong turns.
Suraj’s Boost: “I didn’t come this far just to come this far. Keep going.”
80–90 km: Eye on the Prize
- Haryana Runner Companion: A 100-mile participant from Haryana runs alongside Suraj briefly. They exchange stories about how they got here. The runner encourages Suraj to push hard, “If you break that record, it’s yours, bhai!”
- Phone Call from Coach: At around 90 km, Suraj gets a quick call. Coach Vijay says, “You can wrap this up by 9:30 if you push.” Now Suraj knows a sub-9:30 is possible.
Suraj’s Response: “I’ll give it my best shot. Bas aage hi daudte rehna hai! (I just have to keep running forward!)”
90–95 km: Hunger and Resolve
- Hunger Strikes: Suraj runs low on energy. He pops 5–6 salted dates in one go. The sugar rush helps momentarily.
- Counting Down: He mentally counts kilometers backward. “Only 10 left, only 9, only 8…”
- Sunset Glow (if evening): Depending on the start time, the sun might be sinking, painting the sky with gold. Suraj’s mind flickers between awe and the pounding in his legs.
Suraj’s Thought: “Every step is one closer to halwa!”
95–100 km: The Final Push
- Sore but Determined: With 5 km to go, Suraj clenches his teeth and maintains about a 5:30 min/km pace. He’s beyond caring about form—just forward motion.
- Seeing the Lights: He spots distant lights signaling the finish area. Elation surges through him—he can almost smell victory (and the promised halwa).
Suraj’s Adrenaline Rush: “9:31 or 9:32—I’m close. Let’s go!”
Crossing the Finish Line: 9:31
- Finish Line Scene: Race organizers, volunteers, and a few earlier finishers from shorter categories cheer as Suraj appears. He breaks the tape (or passes the final marker) at 9 hours 31 minutes.
- New Course Record: The previous record was around 9:34. Suraj shaved off 3 minutes. Race officials confirm the new record. Applause erupts.
Halwa Promise: Gasping for breath, Suraj looks for the halwa. Initially, there’s none—logistics delayed its arrival. He half-laughs, half-groans. After a few minutes, a volunteer arrives with a bowl of sweet, steaming halwa. Suraj savors each bite—sweet victory, indeed.
Suraj’s Final Thought: “All those long training days, the sleepless nights after Burger King shifts, the boxing drills, the skipping—everything led here. It was worth it.”
Also Read:
