Sanjai Banerji: Running Miles, Scaling Heights & Inspiring Lives
Sanjai Banerji is a man who refuses to let age define his limits. An author, ultra-marathon runner, and certified mountaineer, he has redefined what it means to embrace passion and perseverance beyond 60.
With over 36 years in the corporate world—spanning the steel, paper, printing (India Today Group), and cement industries—he retired in 2020 as General Manager- Corporate Image at Prism Johnson Limited. But retirement didn’t slow him down. Instead, he pushed himself harder, conquering marathons, mountains, and redefined the art of storytelling.
A Journey of Endurance & Discovery
Sanjai’s tryst with endurance sports began at 48 when he ran his first marathon. By 55, he was taking on ultra-marathons, navigating harsh terrains from deserts to high-altitude trails. At 59, he turned his experiences into words, publishing Crossing the Finish Line, his first book on running.
At 61, he became India’s oldest certified mountaineer, earning an ‘A’ grade in the Basic Mountaineering Course at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering in Manali. Soon after, he penned The Mountaineering Handbook. Even the pandemic couldn’t slow him down—at 63, he published Nobody Dies Tonight, a fitness guide, and followed it with his fiction novel Justice on the Hills.
Health challenges like ocular hypertension, hearing loss, and Type 2 diabetes didn’t deter him either. At 64, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, he’s eyeing Mount Elbrus, proving that passion conquers age and obstacles alike.
Balancing Life’s Challenges
Managing a high-pressure career while training for extreme sports required sheer discipline. Early morning runs, weekend night training, and an ironclad willpower helped him achieve remarkable milestones. Even with medical challenges, he refused to let setbacks define him.
Running & Mountaineering Feats
Ultra & Full Marathons:
- 2013: 75 km Ultra (Hunur Forest, Bangalore)
- 2016: 80 km Ultra (Jaisalmer)
- 2018: 46 km Ultra (Ladakh)
- 2019: 12-Hour Stadium Run (Chandigarh)
- Best Full Marathon: 4h 38m at age 57 (Mumbai, 2017)
- International Marathons: Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (2018-2019)
Recognitions:
- Guinness World Record: Most runners completing a remote 10K (2021)
- 117 virtual races completed during lockdown (2020)
- Procam Slam Award by Procam International (2020)
- World Record for 108 Surya Namaskar by India Book of Records (2024)
- Inducted into Tata Mumbai Marathon Legends Club (2025)
Mountaineering Achievements:
- Oldest Indian to complete Basic Mountaineering Course at 61
- Oldest Indian with multiple health conditions to summit Kilimanjaro at 64
- Plans to conquer six of the seven highest peaks globally
Literary Contributions
Sanjai’s books blend adventure, endurance, and storytelling:
- Crossing the Finish Line (2019) – Running
- The Mountaineering Handbook (2022) – Mountaineering
- Nobody Dies Tonight (2023) – Fitness during the Pandemic
- Justice on the Hills (2023) – A gripping novel on Gorkhaland
Awards:
- The Mountaineering Handbook – Suenos Award (2024), Golden Book Award (2025)
- Justice on the Hills – Suenos Award for Fiction (2023)
- Guardians of Nathu La – Ukiyoto International Children’s Book Award (2024)
Sanjai has also written 16+ short stories, spanning multiple genres, influenced by Manga and adventure themes which have appeared in print, digital and audio formats. He has also brought out two popular childrens’ comics.
A Support System & Future Aspirations
Sanjai credits his wife, Sanjukta, for being his Rock of Gibraltar. From supporting his races to ensuring he stayed fueled and motivated, she has been his biggest cheerleader.
Looking ahead, he plans to summit Mount Elbrus, and other global peaks, run a 100 km ultra-marathon, and even see Justice on the Hills adapted into a film. His ultimate goal? To keep proving that age is just a number.
Final Thoughts
Sanjai Banerji’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and breaking barriers. Whether through running, mountaineering, or writing, he continues to inspire thousands, proving that life after 60 is just the beginning of new adventures.
