Endurance athlete and running coach Ashwini Ganapathi, 39, from Karnataka, has etched her name into the record books by conquering one of Asia’s toughest trail races, the Deep Japan Ultra 100. The grueling ultra-marathon, held in late June, covered 173 km through rugged mountainous terrain approximately 300 km from Tokyo.
Out of the 135 athletes who embarked on this punishing journey, only 63 completed it. Ashwini emerged as the sole non-Japanese participant, male or female, to cross the finish line, clocking an impressive 45 hours and 42 minutes and ranking as the 10th woman overall.
Carrying her own supplies across treacherous terrain
One of the race’s biggest challenges was self-sufficiency. As a vegetarian unable to rely on aid station provisions, Ashwini carried over 8 kg of food, hydration, and safety gear. “I couldn’t depend on the aid stations, so I packed everything I needed,” she shared as reported by TOI. Some checkpoints were 28 km apart, far beyond the typical spacing in Indian races. The course also featured steep ascents and descents secured only by ropes and chains, snow-covered summits, and scorching 33°C heat during the day.
“I didn’t sleep for two nights. I tried resting for five minutes in a nap room but just couldn’t drift off,” Ashwini recalled. The event offered no dedicated camps for rest, only minimal support at sparse aid stations.
From IT professional to ultramarathoner
Ashwini’s remarkable journey into ultrarunning began when she left a nine-year career in IT to pursue her passion for fitness. A former field hockey player, she discovered her aptitude for endurance during long runs. Her breakthrough came in 2019 at the Malnad Ultra (110 km) in Karnataka, when she realized she still felt strong after 100 km. That experience planted the dream of tackling a 100-miler.
Preparing for the Deep Japan Ultra demanded a disciplined training regimen. Ashwini regularly logged 70–90 km of weekly running, supplemented by strength training at Invictus Performance Lab and long runs across varied terrain. She credits the Backyard Ultra, where she ran 187.8 km in 28 hours, with sharpening her mental resilience and strategy for the Japanese course.
Supported by her husband, in-laws, and Tekion’s ‘Tekion for Good’ CSR initiative, Ashwini has become a beacon of inspiration. “Women are born with endless endurance,” she says. “I hope more women will step onto the trails and believe in their own strength.”
