96-year-old runner NS Dattatreya takes on new challenges | Athletics News

Age is just a number for 96-year-old NS Dattatreya, who will participate in the ‘TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2024’ as the oldest runner in the event. Dattatreya is an avid long-distance runner and has previously participated in the Gold Label event scheduled to be held on April 28. Since starting his long-distance running journey in January 2019, the nonagenarian has participated in dozens of marathons and walkathons. “After I ran my first marathon, I knew this was something I wanted to continue doing. What started as just a desire to stay healthy quickly turned into a lifestyle,” he said.

“There’s no point in having a lot of money if you can’t enjoy it,” he added, emphasizing the need to focus on one’s health and lifestyle.

“The first thing your friends ask you when they meet you is how healthy you are, not whether you have money.” In an age where the virtual world is slowly taking over, Dattatreya believes that playing some form of physical activity Activities are important so that they do not become a burden on the family.

His day starts at 5.30am with some warm-up and then about an hour on the bike.

In the evening, he runs on the treadmill, and his son Murali, who returns home from get off work, joins him.

“I used to play football when I was younger. Now I run. I always make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“I believe parents can do two things for their children: quality education, and take care of their children’s health through some form of physical activity and prevent themselves from becoming a burden on the family.” Dattatreya has been a part of this event for the past few years , and loved every bit of it.

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