By Nixon Joseph, Group Executive Director, DEVI Sansthan, Lucknow
Former President, SBI Foundation
Tata Mumbai Marathon Two-Star Legend | Ambassador, Fit India Mission

At an age when many people begin to settle into routine, an SBI officer decided to rewrite his destiny.

At 46, while serving as an Assistant General Manager at the State Bank of India Corporate Centre in Mumbai, a simple but profound question changed the course of his life:

How can I create an identity that will outlive my designation?

SBI had nearly 2.5 lakh employees. Designations such as AGM, CGM or even Chairman would one day disappear after retirement. He wanted an identity that no retirement order could take away—an identity that would inspire others.

After months of introspection, he found his answer.

He would run a marathon because no one in SBI at that time was doing long distance running. That would make him different from all the 250000 colleagues.

Ironically, he had never been a sportsman.

From childhood, people had told him, “You are a good student, but sports are not for you.” For years, he lived within the invisible cage created by the opinions of others.

Then he saw an advertisement for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and, without even realizing how demanding a full marathon was, registered for the 42.195-kilometre event.

The response from friends and colleagues was discouraging.

“You are mad.”

“You won’t even complete 4 kilometres.”

“You can never become a sportsman.”

But he had made up his mind.

He would break the barrier.

The Race That Changed a Life

Standing at the starting line at CST, Mumbai, among nearly 1,500 runners, he experienced a life-changing realization.

“I am also a runner. I am also a sportsman.”

Within a few kilometres, exhaustion took over. His body was in pain. Every step demanded surrender.

He almost quit.

Then he remembered the voices that had always told him he could not do it.

He chose to continue.

For him, the marathon was no longer a race. It had become a battle against self-doubt.

After an agonizing 6 hours and 45 minutes, he crossed the finish line.

As he received the finisher’s medal, tears flowed freely.

He had not merely completed a marathon.

He had broken a lifelong mental barrier.

That medal carried a message that would shape the rest of his life:

“If determination is strong enough, nothing is impossible.”

From One Marathon to Seventy-Four

What began as a personal challenge soon became a lifelong passion.

Running brought discipline, resilience, optimism and mental strength. It improved his productivity at work and transformed the way he looked at life.

Every marathon increased his confidence.

Every finish line expanded his horizons.

A posting to Tokyo in 2008 further changed his outlook. Watching men and women in their 60s, 70s and 80s running, cycling and exercising inspired him to challenge himself even more.

He began participating in multiple marathons every year.

The banker who had once been told he could never be a sportsman gradually became one of India’s most recognized marathon runners from the banking fraternity.

Today, he has successfully completed 74 full marathons.

He has been honoured with the prestigious title of Tata Mumbai Marathon Two-Star Legend for completing 15 editions of the iconic race.

He also serves as an Ambassador of the Fit India Mission, the Government of India’s flagship initiative promoting health, wellness and fitness.

Inspiring a Culture of Fitness

His greatest achievement is not the medals.

It is the movement he helped create.

Across SBI, many officers and employees started walking, jogging and running after being inspired by his example. Wherever he travelled, he was recognized not merely as a banker but as a marathon runner who proved that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary goals.

He believes that one of his most meaningful contributions to SBI has been helping to build a culture of fitness and healthy living.

The Hug That Made Every Step Worthwhile

During the Tata Mumbai Marathon in 2020, while running the 36th kilometre, a young man suddenly ran towards him.

“Sir, I want to hug you.”

Surprised, he replied, “But I don’t even know you.”

The young man smiled and said, “I am an SBI Branch Manager. You are my inspiration.”

Despite being drenched in sweat, the young officer embraced him.

That moment became more precious than any medal.

It was proof that a single individual can inspire countless others simply by daring to be different.

Age Is Only a Number

Perhaps the most remarkable part of this story is that it did not begin in youth.

He started running at the age of 46.

Today, at 65 years of age, he is preparing for his 75th full marathon, sending a powerful message to society that dreams do not have an expiry date.

His journey proves that age cannot stop ambition, background cannot limit potential, and the opinions of others cannot define our future.

His life stands as a testament to one simple truth:

The biggest barriers are not on the road. They exist in our minds.

Break those barriers, and extraordinary things become possible.

From a sedentary banker to a marathon legend, from self-doubt to self-belief, from one courageous step to 74 marathons—his journey reminds us that it is never too late to reinvent ourselves.

At 65, he is chasing his 75th marathon with the same passion with which he started his first. Because age is only a number, and no number should ever put a stop to our dreams.