Chandigarh, June 15: Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has selected the trail-runner Pranab Roy for the 100km non-stop 12-hour stadium run to be held in Mumbai on 5-6 September 2020.

The event is exclusively reserved for the selected runners from the country based on their previous performances. Those completing the 100km or more of this ultra-marathon in 12 hours will be eligible for selection to represent India in the World Championship to be held in Crotia

The remarkable thing about Guinnesse world record holder Pranab Roy is that he is the second Indian athlete, after the hockey legend Sandeep Singh, to return to professional sports after a spinalcord fracture and paralysis.

Pranab developed passion for trail running during his school times and in 2015 he joined the National Adventure Foundation to complete a 141kms trail run, 12000ft above the sea level in Darjeeling.

In 2016, he received Guinness World Records citation for completing the toughest terrain on western ghats in Maharashtra, the Satara Hill Marathon, and there was no looking back for him thereafter.

In 2017, he ran for the Indian Army, a 60kms non-stop run in Arunachal Pradesh, which he completed in 4 hours, 40 minutes, 23 seconds, and in January 2017 he again ran for the army in another marathon that won him appreciations.

In August 2018, he completed 116.15kms ultra-marathon in 26 hours and came first in the world with his performance at the Bengaluru Endurance Run.

On 14-15 July 2018, he became the first Indian to complete the Asian Trail Master, a 75kms run in 22 hours in a tough trail situated 18,600ft above sea level. He represented India and was selected by the Athletics Federation of India.

In 2018 he was the only Indian to complete the 70kms non-stop trail running in the Asian Trail Masters in Indonesia, and was also selected by AFI for the Asian Trail Masters Thailand scheduled in March 2020 which was cancelled due to Covid19.

He had met with a serious road accident last year in Bengaluru which incapacitated him due to spinal injury, and was referred to PGIMER for further treatment, but with strong will, he has mentally trained to return to the trail running.

"I believe that everyone has the ability to master one's own destiny and be unstoppable," Pranab Roy says.

(Pranab Roy, Mobile 82960 41470)