- Surpreet aka Suri Paaji in the running world, has become a successful runner, race director and organizer
- He has completed more than 50 running races, ranging from half marathons (21.1 km) to Ultra Marathons (100 km) in a running career spanning 12 years
- He is close to being certified as an international certified course measurer
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 1
Chase your passion and success will be yours – this is the advice every successful person shares. But few people embody the saying as Surpreet Singh Khalsa.
Surpreet, famously known as Suri Paaji in the running world, had a passion for running and has become a successful runner and race organiser by turning his passion into his profession.
Surpreet (31) has completed more than 50 running races, ranging from half marathons (21.1 km) to Ultra Marathons (100 km) in a running career spanning 12 years. He has participated in running events across India and several places globally, including the 100 km international running competition in Hong Kong in 2017.
“I was attracted to running because of NCC during my college days and started participating in marathon events from 2011 year. I found distance running to be magical, a true test of the limits of the human body. Having participated in events over the past several years, my passion for running has only grown, and I want to keep participating in more challenging races,” says Surpreet.
Surpreet says he especially loves trail running as it allows him to get close to the natural world with fresh and peaceful surroundings, with no sound other than the chirping of the birds and the crunch of dirt under the shoes.
Besides running, Surpreet has also carved out a niche for himself as a race director, course (route) in-charge and course measurer in many national and international races. He has served in 65+ races in the past 7 years as race director for around 20 races, course in charge of over 30 races, and course measurer of 25 races. He has also served as the technical official and technical director of distance running events.
Popular projects where Surpreet working in course management area since 2017 are
- TATA Mumbai Marathon (Asia’s and India’s largest Marathon)
- Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon
- TATA Steel Kolkata 25K
- TCS World 10K Bangalore
- NMDC Hyderabad Marathon
He has also attended the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) Route Measurement Workshop in 2017 at Bangalore and he know how to measure exact distance 10,000 meters, Half Marathon 21.097KM, Full Marathon 42.195KM, any distance you say he can accurately measure it.
He is close to being certified as an international certified course measurer.
Surpreet has also developed expertise in conceptualising and ideating races, designing + measurement the course, planning the course, branding, planning the venue, planning the expo, and race day execution.
Distance running, especially marathons and ultra-marathons has become extremely popular in India in the last few years. Several cities organisations are organising half and full marathons as an annual event. Participation in ultra marathons, as well as events such as Duathlon (Run, Cycle, Run) and Triathlon (Swim, Cycle, Run) are also on the rise.
