Sunday’s race is also about celebrating the second chance she’s been given to enjoy life after suffering a stroke
A mother-of-two is hoping to set a new Guinness World Record this weekend by running the fastest half-marathon in a sari.
Sumathy Thulasiraman, 44 and from Belfast, will take part in the Phoenix Energy Belfast City Half Marathon this Sunday, September 20.
More than 8,500 runners are expected to take to the streets of Belfast with thousands more spectators expected to cheer them on throughout the course.
For Sumathy it will be a chance to run in an outfit she feels comfortable in while also empowering other women from all ethnic backgrounds around the world.
This will be her second Belfast Half Marathon in a sari, but this time she’s going to attempt the Guinness World Record.
For Sumathy, Sunday’s race is also about celebrating the second chance she’s been given to enjoy life with her husband Rajesh and their two daughters – 18-year-old Jarshini and Deeksha, aged 11, after she suffered a stroke in January 2021.
“Five years ago, attempting a half marathon was not even in my league. I was a couch potato who believed healthy meant being in good shape and at the right weight,” she told Belfast Live.
“But then I had a stroke so that was a turning point in my life. My nutritional levels were at the rock bottom and even though I had a lean figure that was not enough to be healthy.
“There were no warning signs. Even the previous day, I was hale and healthy. I’m a person who talks a lot as I conduct competitions and organise shows. Talking was everything to me, but the stroke hit my fluency, and I started stammering.
“But by God’s grace, it was a relatively minor stroke. I lost part of my memory and ability to speak fluently, but then my recovery was made possible by incredible support from doctors, nurse, physiotherapists, speech therapists, family, and a lovely employer who gave me time and space to heal.
“Everything was quick in terms of recovery. I was able to regain much of my memory, and then almost all of it so it was a very short episode, that did not impact anything around my professional or personal life.”
Sumathy says that experience changed everything: “It taught me that true health is not defined by appearance, but by how well we care for our bodies. After that I committed myself to prioritising my health and embracing an active lifestyle.
“What was missing in my previous life is that I did not have an active lifestyle. I just went for walks whenever I felt like it was not even routine. I see Sunday’s race as an expression of gratitude for the second chance I’ve been given.
“This Guinness World Record attempt is no different. It’s my way of honouring the doctors, nurses and all those who helped me recover and celebrate this life. I don’t believe there is a current half-marathon record but I have been given a limit of 2 hours and 20 minutes.
“I have a physical fitness coach, Tina, who has been supporting me and who will be running with me as a witness for the Guinness World Record attempt.”
Sumathy added: “I see this as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of health and wellbeing, especially for women who often place the needs of others ahead of their own.
“Every other responsibility can be delegated, but no one else can take responsibility for your health and fitness. That is a commitment only you can make.”
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