Having served the nation with the Indian Air Force for 21 years, ‘Coach Pani’- as he is fondly called- took up serious running in 1977 during his military training. He started as a middle distance runner representing various Commands under Indian Air Force in 800m; 1500m; 3000m steeple chase; 5000m & 10000m at the Air Force Athletics Championship. He also took part in the Cross Country Events and represented Air Force at the Inter-Services Cross Country Championship. Slowly, he transitioned into long distance running moving from 10000 m to full marathon and before he retired from the Air Force in 1998, amongst various other records, he had to his credit a sub 3-hour finish running 42.195 kms – what the world knows as the Marathon.

After a very active running career he took a 10 year long break from running, returning to racing only in 2008 at Bangalore’s first Sunfeast World 10K (now TCS 10K). And to say that he was back, would be an understatement. It was like putting a fish back in the water! He got passionately involved with Bangalore’s Nike + Run Club (N+RC), Runners For Life (RFL) and more.

Coach Pani is currently the chief coach and prime mover of the PaceMakers. In his seven years as mentor of the group, his mentees have made rapid strides in the world of Indian amateur running. While almost all PaceMakers have begun their journey of injury-free running and constant trysts with Personal Bests, the very best of the brigade are constant features on the podiums of amateur races across India and also have attained the coveted ‘BQ’ status.  Coach Pani was also closely involved with the Nike Run Club at Bangalore as its Head Coach.

International Marathon