He Runs, He Climbs, He Writes: The 65-Year-Old Redefining Fitness in India
Most people slow down with age—Sanjai Banerji decided to speed up.
At 65, when most are winding down, he’s out running marathons, scaling icy mountain slopes, and writing books that are shaking up how people think about health and fitness in India. But what makes his story truly stand out isn’t just the physical feats. It’s his resilience, his refusal to give up, and his desire to help others rediscover what it means to live fully—at any age.
Sanjai’s journey didn’t start in a gym or on a trail. It began in boardrooms and office cubicles. With a B.Sc., an MBA, and a post-grad diploma in journalism, he spent years in the corporate world. But deep inside, he always knew he wanted to write, to move, and to inspire. That spark only got stronger with time.
He published his first book, Crossing the Finish Line, at 59. The book wasn’t just about running—it was about how everyday people, dealing with stress, health issues, and packed schedules, could still train for and finish a half marathon. And he wasn’t preaching from a pedestal—he lived what he wrote. Whether it was training late into Saturday nights or running in desert heat and high altitudes, Sanjai poured his real-life experiences into each page. The book even caught the attention of Milind Soman, who called it gripping and thought-provoking.
But Sanjai wasn’t done.
In 2021, he became the oldest Indian to complete a 28-day Basic Mountaineering Course in Manali. He turned that intense experience into his second book, The Mountaineering Handbook, a no-nonsense guide covering everything from rope techniques and glacier navigation to camping hygiene and climate awareness. It wasn’t just about climbing—it was about respecting nature and staying safe while chasing adventure.
Then came the pandemic. The world paused, but Sanjai didn’t. While most stayed indoors, he found ways to keep moving—on rooftops, terraces, and even inside his home. He ran 117 virtual races during lockdown and turned that chapter of his life into Nobody Dies Tonight, a powerful bilingual guide to staying fit, eating right, and keeping the mind strong during tough times. He talked about running form, vegan diets, aging, and even dove into topics like sleep and mental resilience. It was raw, real, and packed with wisdom.
What makes his journey even more inspiring? Sanjai lives with four medical conditions—a lifelong skin disorder, ocular hypertension since 2002, 70% hearing loss since 2016, and type 2 diabetes since 2021. Yet, he’s run 80-kilometer races, completed full marathons with impressive timings, and even stood on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 64. His message? Your circumstances don’t define your limits—your mindset does.
Beyond fitness, Sanjai is also a passionate storyteller. His novel Justice on the Hills, written in multiple languages, won a fiction award in 2023. His comic book Guardians of Nathu La brought him the International Children’s Book Award in 2024. And with sixteen anthologies in print, digital, audio formats and more projects on the way, his creative journey is just getting started.
You’ll find his books on Amazon, Flipkart, Kindle, and through publisher portals. His blog, sbanerji.blogspot.com, offers a deeper dive into his thoughts and adventures.
Sanjai Banerji isn’t just running races or climbing mountains—he’s helping others believe that it’s never too late to start. Through every step, every story, and every summit, he reminds us that passion doesn’t retire. It only grows stronger.
