Karnataka’s Ashwini Ganapathi Becomes Only Non-Japanese Finisher of Gruelling Deep Japan Ultra Race

Bengaluru, July 13, 2025: Battling snow patches, rugged mountains, and 45 hours of relentless running, Ashwini Ganapathi, a 39-year-old endurance athlete and coach from Karnataka, has achieved a remarkable feat by completing the Deep Japan Ultra 100, one of Asia’s most punishing trail races.

The ultra-endurance event, which began on 27 June, saw 135 runners line up, including eight international participants. Only 63 crossed the finish line, with Ashwini emerging as the sole non-Japanese athlete—across both men and women—to conquer the 173km course. The route included a staggering 9,000-metre elevation gain, exceeding the height of Mount Everest. She finished as the 10th woman overall, clocking 45 hours and 42 minutes.

“I completed the race carrying over 6kg of mandatory safety gear, plus food and water, bringing my pack weight up to 8kg. As a vegetarian in Japan, I couldn’t rely on local aid stations, so I carried everything I needed for the entire race. The dropout rate was huge—72 runners didn’t finish—which shows just how brutal the course was,” Ashwini said.

The Deep Japan Ultra 100 route featured three major mountain climbs, including Mount Asakusa and Mount Sumo, set in treacherous terrain about 300km from Tokyo. “There were snow patches on one summit that we had to cross three times, and several sections were so steep we needed ropes and chains to climb or descend,” she added.

Unlike Indian trail races, which often have aid stations every 10km, the Japanese race sometimes stretched gaps of 28km without support. “There were no camps or sleep breaks. I didn’t sleep for two nights. I tried for five minutes in a nap room, but I just couldn’t. We were on our feet the whole time,” said Ashwini, who received support from Tekion, an automotive retail tech company, through its ‘Tekion for Good’ CSR initiative.

A full-time running coach and former IT professional, Ashwini left her corporate career after nine years to focus entirely on fitness. “I was always athletic—I played field hockey at school—but realised I was better at endurance than speed. While others focused on minutes, I wanted to see how far I could go,” she shared.

Her ultrarunning journey began in 2019 during Karnataka’s Malnad Ultra (110km). “I still had energy after running 100km—that’s when I started dreaming about a 100-miler,” she said.

With rigorous training, including weekly runs of 70-90km and strength work at Invictus Performance Lab, Ashwini prepared for the challenge. A mental breakthrough came during the Backyard Ultra, where she clocked 28 hours and 187.8km, setting an Indian women’s record.

“My family has been my biggest support system. My husband and in-laws have been incredibly supportive, and my mother-in-law manages things at home when I’m away,” she said.

“With this accomplishment, I hope more women feel inspired to prioritise their health and discover their endurance potential. Women are born with an unlimited supply of endurance—it’s just about realising our abilities,” Ashwini added.

Source : Times of India

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