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Our Story

Running is a simple yet beautiful activity that can open a world of learning for anyone. Runner’s High is a social enterprise, inspired by the infinite possibilities of learning and growth that running as a sport offers.

Our founder, Santhosh Padmanabhan, even as a kid, loved to run. But, somehow along the way, different plans were made. He was disillusioned with an academic philosophy that laid too much emphasis on classroom learning and examinations. Like his peers, he reached the USA for higher studies. Ironically, he got more sensitive about the real issues in India - its one-dimensional education system, the apathy of the government and its policy failures, when he was in the USA than when he was growing up in India.

He came back to India in March 2008. During a visit to a tribal village, he realised the immense talent and enthusiasm their children had and how physical activity could be a potent way of educating them and improving their self-esteem. Yet, there was hardly any space for physical activity in the Indian formal educational system. With his involvement in various grassroots efforts, especially experiences with training children for running, he saw a confluence of both his passions.

Runner’s High was created by end of 2008 and we started working with educational institutions to make running a part of their lives. While we got the opportunity and time to interact with children, there was still the question of sustainability.

We created a professional and well-equipped team of coaches and physiotherapists to offer training programs for a fee. We started our first paid training program in March 2009. Our training programs focused on fitness, developing a passion for running and making it a fun and social activity.

Thus, Runner’s High came to life as a social enterprise and not as a non-profit or just a profiteering business. We have volunteers from the community coming forward to support all initiatives. We have a non-hierarchical democratic setup. We have reached out to 10,000+ runners in over a decade of our existence. We have reached out to children as young as 4 years old to adults as old as 80+ years.

Running in itself brings benefits to the individual in terms of mental, physical and emotional health. Anyone can start running, but the challenge is in imbibing it as part of your lifestyle. That is where a community like Runner’s High makes a difference. We create a family that acts as a support system to adopt running as part of your life. While a runner initially joins us for the personal benefits of health and fitness, soon they realize there is a larger meaning to their running and the community. Whether or not our runners get involved in our efforts with the community and society, they are still a part of the vibrant positive culture we have created. The community helps our runners evolve. Each one of us become better human beings thanks to running. We understand the true meaning of responsibility, discipline, determination, hard work, patience, diligence, respect, humility, sacrifice, community, cooperation, hope....and the list goes on.

Runner’s High as a community has come a long way in its existence over the last decade. We have been successful in

  • Creating a beautiful community of volunteers who see running NOT as personal achievement but as a way of giving back to the community.
  • Helping many overcome their personal battles with health - physical or mental
  • Training children with special needs who went on to represent Karnataka and later India in the Special Olympics
  • Training many children who are now confident adults, continuing with their running and many taking up careers in physical fitness - as coaches, life skills instructors, gym trainers, dancers, karate instructors etc.

The list of achievements might go on, but these are only milestones in a journey. At the end of the day, if we have touched a few lives, brought about smiles, while smiling ourselves and inspired positive change, we believe we have achieved our mission.

Coaches

Runner’s High Coaches are experienced members of the community who have been running with us for very long. We identify runners who can play a wonderful role as a mentor, guide and friend to everyone in the community. All coaches are volunteers and are only given a small honorarium as a token of appreciation for their time and efforts. Of course, the immense value they bring to the community cannot be compensated!

  • All
  • Jayanagar
  • Cubbon Queens
  • Cubbon Library
  • HSR Layout
  • Whitefield

Santhosh

Akhila

Anita

Chandra

Divya

Giri

Nelson

Pramoda

Prateek

Rama

Ravanan

Sharath

Shilpa

Sonali

Sourav

Vasudha

Venky

Vinay

Usha

Physios

Runner’s High has qualified and experienced Physios to help and guide our runners. We have been at the forefront of developments in injury management and sports performance thanks to the physios. They are reputed and also consult independently in their respective fields.

Susan

Giri

Giri has been running since 2010 and has been a part of Runner’s High since 2014. His first introduction to RH was at a running event in 2013, where the camaraderie of the group drew him to reach out and join them. Giri enjoys running the half marathon and 10 km distances and has been coaching since 2019.

Born and raised in Bangalore, Giri has been in sports through his early days and played a variety of sports. He was introduced to running while playing competitive cricket for his school. Though initially he disliked running, it has now become an integral part of his life.

Giri feels that he has experienced a positive change in his running over the past few years and believes he can contribute back as a coach with his learnings. He feels RH has had a huge role to play in this change, and that the program structure and the community have a positive impact, making running enjoyable for all.

Nelson

In 2001, at the age of 32, at a routine medical check-up for a job switch, Nelson was diagnosed as prediabetic. As a weekend footballer and someone who considered himself fit, he was shocked! He totally cut out sugar and started exercising and within 6 months he was free from diabetes symptoms. However, every 3-4 years he would lapse back (he just loves sweets!).

Sometime in 2013 he heard about Runner’s High and felt that some structure would help support his exercise regime. Of course, it took him time to take action; in 2014 he finally registered and got hooked to running. Initially, Nelson decided to train only for 10 kms but two years later found himself training for a half marathon, and has now completed a full marathon. Nelson’s resolve to stay healthy for his daughter is what keeps him going. He has been coaching since 2019.

Professionally, Nelson is an executive coach and organisational development consultant.

Prateek

Prateek has been with Runner’s High since 2014 and has been running since then! He started coaching in 2017. He has been training for full marathons.

Prateek finds that when he thinks about running and Runner’s High, these words come to his mind - Joy. Original. Exploration. Friendships. Community. Learning. Discipline. Simple.

After a long stint in the IT industry, Prateek left Accenture in 2018 to start India’s first Assistive Technology Accelerator (ATA) which helps start-ups to scale solutions for persons with disability.

Rama

Ramakrishnan joined RH in 2011 and started coaching in 2020. He has mostly run half marathons and full marathons.

Rama is a simple, optimistic person who loves to interact with people.

When not running, Rama is a software professional from development background.

Sharath

Sharath has been a part of Runner’s High since March 2011. Though he used to run short distances as part of high school NCC trainings, physical activity took a backseat once focus shifted to academics and then to career. So, when looking for a formal training to get back to running, he found Runner’s High through the internet. He started training for 10 kms and over 9 years progressed to ultra-marathon distances. He started coaching other runners in RH from 2014.

Sharath finds running a great stress buster, and finds it is a ‘me time’ that allows him to relax. Sharath feels that running has also helped him approach the day-to-day challenges that life brings with a different perspective. His association with RH has also helped him to focus on the process rather the outcome.

When not running or coaching, Sharath prefers to read, though his ultra-marathon training provides very limited time.

Sourav

Sourav started running to get rid of mid-life blues and bulges and fell in love with it. An avid sports enthusiast, he had been running on his own for six years. A chance meeting with Runner’s High was when, he feels, he discovered the fun of running.

Runner’s High is where Sourav made new friends, found inspirations and marvelled at the capacity of human spirit, while clocking a few kilometres himself. Today, he is an ultra-marathoner.

Professionally, he is a teacher at a management institution where understanding the linkages between sports and management is one of interest areas of research.

Vinay

Vinay has been running since 2008, and has run many half, full, and ultra-marathons.

He finds running to be a great leveller, which brings the true you out, especially the long runs. Vinay feels he has a kind of a love-hate, respect-and-recognition relationship with running. He feels that running is so simple that anyone should be capable of it, yet, to understand it completely would mean going through all spheres of knowledge; one needs to think of bio-mechanics, nutrition, strengthening, muscle imbalance, types of shoes, fibres of running clothes, weather, heart rate zones, monitors, GPS tech and more! Over time he has realised that running is profound, and straddles everything required to make a good entertainer – it has got drama, emotion, fun, technicality, pain, satisfaction, feeling of being at war and sometimes ultimate peace!

When not running, Vinay is an IT and printing professional.

Venky

Venky had been running on and off since 2009 but took to serious running after joining Runner’s High in 2013. He has been a coach since 2017. He has trained for many half marathons but is always trying to better his 10 km timing!

Venky feels that joining RH has been one of the best decision of his life life since it has given him many friends, discipline to follow in life, people to look up to and learn from and, of course, the joy of running.

Venky is married, with two kids and works in IT industry to pay his bills.

Anita

Anita started running when she joined RH in 2014 and has been coaching since 2018. She has trained for 10 km, half and full marathons.

Anita feels that running gives her the variety and challenge to sharpen her mind and body at the same time. She enjoys the fact that no two runs and no two runners are the same, irrespective of the distance. She believes that running makes each of us unique and keeps us that way; it lets us discover our own comfort zone, and meet our challenges.

Anita is a corporate lawyer by profession and spends a large part of her day poring over documents, on client calls or meetings. Music and classical dance are her go-to de-stressors; she loves to spend time with herself but only because she knows she has the comfort of family and friends who she can run to whenever she wishes!

Chandra

Chandra has been with Runner’s High as a coach since its inception in 2009. She mainly runs ultra-distances. She loves challenging her body and is highly motivated by physical fitness and its various facets. She would love to see more physically fit people in this world than unhealthy ones. She believes that physical fitness not only strengthens the body, it also enriches the mind and spirit.

Chandra feels that spending hours and hours in training should translate into something good for the world she lives in; hence coaching. She believes that taking the goodness of physical fitness and running to others is fulfilling and that there is no better community than Runner’s High to accomplish it.

When not running, Chanda owns and operates a chain of gyms called Contours, exclusively for women, to encourage every woman to work out in a comfortable, friendly, and non-judgemental space.

Pramoda

Pramoda found her first attempt at running, 5 km at the Contours Women’s Day Run, really enjoyable and decided to join Runner’s High for a formal training in 2015.

There has been no looking back and she enjoys the cold breeze brushing her cheeks, and the 'me' time running gives her, and finds it truly meditative. From struggling to finish 5 kms in 2015, she has conquered many 10 kms, half marathons and two full marathons covering more than 4,800 kms by running. She started coaching in RH in 2019.

Pramoda feels that apart from health benefits and the inner confidence, running teaches you humility. She truly believes that running is the best gift one can give themselves. Her takeaway from RH is primarily the inclusiveness – she feel blessed to be a part of such a great communityand feels that it makes one think philosophically of how there is place for people from all walks of life, all shapes, all forms.

Pramoda is a mother to two kids and works in the software industry.

Santhosh

Founder of Runner’s High, Santhosh has been running long distance since 2003, and coaching since 2005.

  • Distance in a single run - Lots of miles ... > 300 kms > 160 miles many times
  • Time on feet in a single run - A few days
  • Speed in a single run - Crawling to Walking to Gliding - all speeds possible!

Santhosh was on a career path of a VLSI CAD engineer, but, it did not inspire him. He was passionate about running and interacting with children. With his involvement with various grassroot efforts and experiences with training children for running, he saw a confluence of both his passions.

Santhosh sees himself as a student and a coach; he runs to feel alive and enjoy every step; he aspires to make a meaning out of his running rather than see it as numbers or goals.

Susan

Susan Jennifer is a Sports Physiotherapist with over 13 years’ experience focused on Pain Management, Injury Related Rehabilitation through exercise, Recovery Programs for Athletes, sports specific Performance Enhancement Exercise Programs.

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), dry needling, taping and exercise prescription are her main areas of expertise.

She holds a degree in Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine) and have secured 10th rank in Masters of Physiotherapy (Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, Karnataka)

Susan has been and integral part of Runner's High since 2012. Initially, it took Susan some time to warm up to Runner’s High as she did not know anything about RH and also because she preferred strength training to running.

But after interacting the runners and the coaches over a few seasons, she felt fortunate to be a part of this selfless community, and feels it is this community spirit that has kept her glued to RH consistently for years; now, RH has become a part of her!!

Vasudha

Vasudha’s love for fitness led her to long-distance running in 2016. Without any formal training she started running 10 kms and 21 kms races, but soon realized the only way to run longer and stronger is by being disciplined and following a structured training routine. That is what led her to Runner’s High in 2017. After training for several seasons and running half and full marathons, she started coaching in 2019.

Vasudha is a fitness instructor, so coaching runners comes naturally to her. She enjoys learning new workouts and techniques and loves sharing her enthusiasm for fitness with her buddies.

Vasudha believes that running, for her, has been a process of self-discovery. It has helped her learn so much more about her own body and mind. It has not just made her physically stronger but has also given her the mental strength to push herself in the hardest miles of a race, both on and off the track!

Akhila

Akhila started running with Runner’s High in 2013. She started with a lot of reservations and with very minimal background of physical activity but soon found herself on a phenomenal journey and there has been no looking back since! Today, she strongly believes that running and Runner’s High are a big part of who she is, and it shapes her to be physically and mentally stronger each day. She has been a coach with RH since 2015.

When not running or coaching Akhila spends her time trying to conserve heritage buildings.

Usha

Usha has been with Runner’s High since 2009, and has been a coach since 2013. Currently, she is a virtual coach for Runner’s High, having relocated to Myanmar a few years ago.

Usha is motivated by the infinite possibilities that one can achieve in life. For her it is the core of her being. She believes learning is an endless journey. It is the reason she picked up running at the age of 46 and is still going strong at 59. She finds that waking up in the wee hours of the morning each training day prepares her for what the day awaits! Usha believes that running has taught her inner strength.

When not running or coaching, Usha teaches Computer Science in an educational institution in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Ravanan

Ravanan has been with RH since 2014. He mostly trains for half marathons but has also run full marathons. He started coaching in 2019 and has been enjoying it thoroughly.

Ravanan finds running therapeutic and keeps him grounded. What motivates him is the act of regular people challenging their status quo and the joy of seeing them enjoy their success. The sight of anyone smiling out of genuine happiness gives him joy. Among friends, he is known to be the more cantankerous of the lot and believes in friendships till the end. Ravanan started off long distance running as an extension to his early sports exposure but now it has become an addiction of sorts.

He believes that RH is a case study on its own, and there is no better place to be for someone who loves people and running!

At work, Ravanan heads Content for a mobile content app.

Shilpa

Shilpa joined Runner’s High in 2014. She started with 10 km runs, did several half marathons and has been training for full marathons since 2018. She started coaching in RH in 2019.

Shilpa started enjoying running soon after she joined Runner’s High. The company of several friendly and wonderful people in RH community has constantly inspired her to run and, slowly, running has become her passion. Shilpa truly believes that her opportunity to coach in RH is a privilege and a great learning experience.

She finds great joy in the whole RH experience and feels that there could be no better way to remain fit and healthy!

Although a Civil Engineer by training, Shilpa chose to be a homemaker. In her free time, she loves to cook, watch TV and talk to her friends and family.

Divya

Divya has been running since 2014. She started with 10 km distances and has completed multiple half marathons and a full marathon. She started coaching in 2020.

She has always loved outdoor activities and sports and being fit is first priority for her. She finds herself quite self-motivated but having goals definitely motivates her better.

Divya finds that running gives her a sense of achievement and mental strength. She has gained so much from running, and, coaching is helping her share this beautiful experience with other runners. She loves the fact that RH allows runners to achieve their goals without pressurizing them.

Divya has been a professional singer for more than 20 years now. Singing was a serious passion turned into a profession. She has dabbled with anchoring for a short period, and has also worked as an RJ for workspace. She is currently balancing her singing and yoga teaching assignments.

Sonali

Sonali‘s running history began with RH in 2012. Since then she has covered multiple 5 kms, 10kms, 21kms, 42kms, and one 50 km. She started coaching RH runners in 2020.

Running is like life for Sonali – with lots of different destinations with different journeys. Her motivation to run comes from the realization that each run makes her stronger - physically and mentally. The camaraderie and collective sharing of pains, masala dosas, and celebrations in the running community brings her joy. In this adventure, discipline – her defining characteristic, has helped her develop both as a runner and as a coach.

When not running or coaching, Sonali run a holistic fat loss consulting firm.