Gandra Jyothi after finishing the Tokyo Marathon
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Gandra Jyothi, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Bhupalpally district president and former Warangal Rural Zilla Parishad (ZP) chairperson, has created history by completing all six major world marathons. A seasoned politician and an ardent fitness enthusiast, she recently achieved a significant milestone by finishing the Tokyo Marathon on March 2.
Ms. Jyothi’s journey is a testament to determination and the spirit of breaking barriers. At 56, she has become one of the few Telugu women to accomplish this remarkable feat, inspiring many along the way.
Ms. Jyothi’s marathon journey began in 2016 with the Vizag Marathon, where she completed her first half marathon at the age of 46.
What started as a fitness routine transformed into a lifelong passion, pushing her to participate in prestigious global marathons. She conquered the Berlin Marathon in 2018, followed by the Chicago and Boston Marathons in 2019. Later that year, she added the New York Marathon to her list of achievements. Despite her goal to complete all six majors by 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and her political commitments delayed her plans. However, she resumed her journey with the London Marathon in 2022 and finally completed the Tokyo Marathon in 2025.
Her recent feat in Tokyo did not come easy. Ms. Jyothi was down with a fever the previous day. But her perseverance triumphed over adversity, and she finished the 42-km marathon in six hours. “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to complete the run, but by God’s grace, I managed to finish,” she told The Hindu.
Fitness goal turned into passion
Diagnosed with thyroid issues after the birth of her daughter at the age of 23, Ms. Jyothi took her doctors’ advice seriously and embraced walking, jogging, and yoga as part of her routine. When she moved from Hanamkonda to Hyderabad , she joined the KBR Marathon Club, where she underwent rigorous training for trekking and long-distance running. She participated in the Mumbai and Hyderabad Marathon meets before setting her sights on the world’s most prestigious races.
Gandra Jyothi with her husband and former MLA Venkataramana Reddy
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Despite the demanding nature of politics, Ms. Jyothi ensured that her passion for fitness did not take a backseat. As an advocate for sports and wellness, she has organized multiple events to promote a fitness culture, particularly in the erstwhile Warangal district. Notably, she and her husband and a three-time MLA Gandra Venkataramana Reddy spearheaded the Bhupalpally Run-2022.
“I hope to continue this journey and contribute to the running community by organizing marathons,” she says, expressing her plans to promote long-distance running in Warangal and Hyderabad.
Published – March 06, 2025 03:25 pm IST
