Wan’s Wonder Woman: Bhagirathi Bisht’s Remarkable Marathon Journey

Wan is a quiet, wind-swept Himalayan village tucked away in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, sitting at an altitude of around 2,400 metres. The last motorable settlement before the high mountains take over, it feels like a threshold between the everyday world and the raw wilderness of the Garhwal Himalayas.

But Wan is more than just a gateway to adventure. It’s also the starting point of a brilliant human story. From this remote Himalayan hamlet comes Bhagirathi Bisht, an elite Indian long-distance runner who has risen to become one of the nation’s most promising endurance athletes.

Bhagirathi claimed the women’s title at the New Delhi Marathon, a race certified by the Athletics Federation of India. She followed it up with a gold-medal-winning

performance in the women’s category at the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon.

Bhagirathi speaks to News18 Sports about her journey, upbringing and ambitions for the future.

Excerpts:

What made you choose long-distance running?

I come from a small village in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. I am the youngest of six siblings. My father passed away when I was just three years old, and my mother faced immense hardships raising us on her own.

There were very few facilities in our village, but despite all the challenges, she worked hard to give us a better life and move us forward. My journey in athletics began six years ago when I met my coach, Sunil Sharma.

It was because of him that I started running. Everything I have achieved today is thanks to his guidance, support and belief in me. He introduced me to this field and helped shape my path.

Long-distance running needs a lot of stamina. How do you build it and what is your daily routine?

I grew up in a village at an altitude of around 7,000 to 8,000 feet, which naturally helped build my endurance and strength from a young age. Life there was demanding, with many household responsibilities that required hard work and resilience.

I have been training for the past six years. The first three years were focused on building a strong base, but that period also came with multiple injuries and struggles. However, those challenges made me stronger both physically and mentally.

In the last two years, I trained at one of the highest-altitude locations in Asia, which had a major impact on my performance. Since then, I have delivered some of my best results and I believe I can achieve even more in the future.

You have been on the circuit for more than two years now. What has been your biggest learning and best achievement?

Receiving my first India call-up was the most memorable moment of my career. It was a dream come true and a reward for years of hard work. Last year, I competed internationally in Iraq at the Basra International Half Marathon.

I did not perform as well as I had hoped and struggled with my timing, but the experience taught me valuable lessons and motivated me to work harder. In the same year, I won the National Marathon and also the Hyderabad Marathon.

These were among the biggest milestones of my career and gave me confidence in my potential. I have always trusted and followed Sunil Sir’s guidance. Everything I have achieved so far is because of his support and belief in me.

Above all, I want to thank my coach for his role in my journey.

Your best time in the 25km race is 1:33:23. How do you set targets to improve that, and what is your training regimen like?

Our focus is always on long-term goals rather than short-term targets. We work continuously on improving timing and overall performance. The ultimate aim is to compete at the highest international level, win medals for the country, and represent India at the Olympics.

To achieve this, we train with complete dedication. Sessions are intense and often last five to six hours. We remain focused on improvement every single day, knowing that success comes through discipline, patience and consistent effort.

How has ASICS helped in your journey so far?

It has played a major role in my journey. Coming from a middle-class family, it is very difficult to afford high-performance shoes that cost ₹30,000–₹40,000. Support from a brand makes a big difference both financially and mentally.

When a brand supports us, it gives us confidence and motivates us to perform better. The kit and shoes are very lightweight and performance-oriented. I still remember the first time I wore them; I told my coach I felt I could improve my personal best by more than five minutes.

That shows how confident and excited I felt at that moment. The support and equipment have given me a real boost and strengthened my belief in myself.