78 year old Marathon Man of India, Dr. Ashis Roy receives the Inspirational Achiever Award from Mr. M.M. Sabharwal, President Emeritus, HelpAge India. Looking on are Mr. Mathew Cherian (right) Chief Executive and Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head (Advocacy, Resource & Communications) from HelpAge India.

It is difficult to describe a man who just recently finished his 100th Marathon this Jan.17, 2010, in Mumbai making a national record for men in India. Dr. (Wg. Cdr.) Ashis Roy ran his first marathon at the age of 52 and is the only Asian to have run 3 marathon races in USA on three consecutive Sundays & stood first in all 3 races in his age group then of 65-69 years.

He has run 13 marathons just last year at the age of 77 years!

He served the Indian Air Force for 21 years and on retirement settled in Delhi in 1978 as a practicing Physician Cardiologist. He took up jogging and running to maintain good health. Dr. Roy's marathons include 36 in India & 64 in foreign countries like USA, Canada, UK, Greece, Holand, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria & Pakistan.

Dr. Roy hence is very aptly called the 'Marathon Man of India'.