On most mornings in Delhi, the day begins with the clatter of machines and the thud of bricks at construction sites. In the middle of that chaos, you may spot a lean figure tying his worn-out running shoes at 4:30 a.m., long before the city wakes up. His name is Rohit Kumar, a 32-year-old labourer from Khagaria, Bihar. By day, he carries bricks and bends iron rods; by dream, he is running towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This is not the story of a privileged athlete with corporate sponsors. This is the story of a man who spends two-thirds of his ₹30,000 monthly earnings on running shoes, diet, and entry fees. A man who believes, “run for survival, not luxury.”
The Lockdown That Changed Everything
Rohit grew up as the son of a daily wage worker, familiar with hardship from the start. When he moved to Delhi, construction sites became his life. But during the 2020 COVID lockdown, when the world slowed down, he stumbled upon marathon videos on YouTube — London, Tokyo, New York. And that marked the beginning of his running glory.
With no coach, no gear, and no training manual, he decided to run. The mornings turned into long training sessions, the evenings into swims for endurance, and the days back into heavy labour.
Running Against Odds
In just a few years, Rohit has run over 100 marathons across India, often clocking five races a month. The highlight came in August 2025, when he finished runner-up in the grueling 77 km Surya Spiti Ultra Marathon — a high-altitude race from Kunzum La to Kaza, completed in 7 hours 44 minutes.
There was no support crew, no physiotherapist, no branded energy gels. Just a man running on grit, salt, and willpower.
The achievement caught the attention of the Indian Army’s Uttar Bharat Area, which hailed him online as a symbol of India’s “silent fighters.” Their words were simple: “No coach. No fancy gear. Just raw resolve.”
A Small Step from the Army, A Giant Push for Rohit
Moved by his perseverance, the Army extended an invitation — this time, to another high-altitude marathon in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. For the first time, travel, food, and lodging would be taken care of. For Rohit, it isn’t about free tickets; it is about recognition. Someone had finally noticed.
Dreaming Beyond the Finish Line
Rohit’s eyes are fixed on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he hopes to represent India in the triathlon. It’s an audacious dream. India’s record in long-distance running has been thin — the last big spark being Shivnath Singh’s 11th place in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
But Rohit isn’t counting statistics. He is counting steps. Each run, each sweat-drenched shirt, each blister is a brick laid on his road to Los Angeles.
Why Rohit’s Story Matters
Rohit Kumar isn’t running just for medals. He’s running for every nameless worker who builds our cities but remains invisible. For every dreamer who is told that passion is a luxury.
His story reminds us that talent exists in every corner of India — sometimes hidden under dust and cement, waiting for a chance to breathe.
At The Unknown India, we believe Rohit’s journey deserves not just applause but support. Maybe the question isn’t “Will Rohit make it to the Olympics?” The real question is: What will we, as a society, do to help him get there?
