“My initial motivation for running in a saree was to represent Indian culture"
A mother-of-two will attempt to set a Guinness World Record by running the Manchester Marathon in a saree.
Special educational needs teacher Madhusmita Jena hopes to complete the race in under three hours and 50 minutes.
Her goal is to empower women of all ethnic backgrounds to prioritise their wellbeing and exercise in clothing that makes them feel comfortable.
Madhusmita said: “My initial motivation for running in a saree was to represent Indian culture and heritage, but it’s since blossomed into promoting how women can run in whatever makes them feel most comfortable.”
Born in England and raised in Saudi Arabia, Madhusmita has lived in countries including Dubai and Bahrain. Throughout her running journey, she has championed inclusivity and cultural representation.
She has advocated for women wearing hijabs to run in Egypt, which inspired ‘saree runs’ in villages across India.
Madhusmita hopes her Guinness World Record attempt will prove that running can be done in any type of clothing.
India’s Kranti Salvi is the current record holder. She ran the 2018 Berlin Marathon in a red nine-yard saree, completing it in three hours, 57 minutes, and seven seconds.
Madhusmita added: “Achieving this record in England would give me the platform to show British Asians, and by extension, women globally just what they can achieve for themselves.”
Although aiming for a record-breaking time, this will not be her first marathon in a saree.
The 46-year-old has completed three full and two half marathons in the traditional South Asian garment.
Her fastest time was four hours and 18 minutes at the 2024 Berlin Marathon. She will need to shave off almost half an hour to secure the Guinness World Record.
To overcome the challenge, Madhusmita has adapted how she drapes the six-yard saree to prevent it from catching on her feet while running.
She also opts for lightweight materials to improve comfort and efficiency during races.
Madhusmita began her running journey in Dubai after joining a marathon training group when her eldest son was just three months old. She quickly developed a passion for the sport.
She reported “falling in love with the liberating feeling” running gave her, adding that it was “a form of meditation” for her.
She said: “When I had my first child, I found that I spent a lot of time indoors, and so I started running to get out of the house.
“I actually found giving myself time to do something I enjoy helped me be a better mother.”
Seven months later, she completed her first marathon in Dubai at the age of 29, finishing in three hours and 49 minutes.
Now in her forties, Madhusmita faces a new challenge in her running journey as she navigates peri-menopause, which has affected her energy levels. In response, she has adapted her training regime.
She now focuses on interval training instead of tempo runs. As a busy working mother supporting her two children, she balances early morning runs with cross-training and weight training.
Alongside her record attempt, Madhusmita is raising funds for Heaton School, Stockport’s Secondary Special School for young people with severe learning difficulties, where she teaches.
She aims to purchase an eye gaze device that enables individuals with additional needs to control a computer screen using eye movement.
She said the technology would “be life-changing for pupils with Cerebral Palsy”.
The Manchester Marathon takes place on April 19, 2026.
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