81 year old completes Skyscraper Dash in 15 minutes

Running a flight of 1,250 stairs over 52 floors is not an ordinary task. It was an even more remarkable for Bylahalli Janardan who reached the top most floor of the Kohinoor Square tower in Dadar on Sunday because he was the oldest one to take part in the Mumbai leg of the Skyscraper Dash. The Bengaluru resident who finished the climb in 15 minutes and 22 seconds had 81 candles on his birthday cake this July.

Janardan might not have won the race, that was Syashi Diwakar in seven minutes and 13 seconds, but he surely won a lot of fans.

"Since the building was under construction, I did not have the railings for support. Or else, I would have taken less time. But I am not tired. In fact, I am used to running for an hour. I should have ran the double dash. Plus coming down is easier. Doing it for the third time was also possible," says the 81-year-old with a hearty laugh.

As others rushed for refreshments, Janardan was busy posing with kids for a photograph. "I can pick up kids the entire day. That is what I used to do with my grandson back home. I used to take him on my back and go for a long walk," says Janardan, letting out his secret to overcome the back problem.

There are some people who love to walk, and there are some people who do crazy. Janardan did both before his flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai on Saturday. He woke up and as expected walked to the bus stop at five in the morning to reach the airport. "It is much safer than taking a rickshaw. And there is nothing like fresh good morning air," says Janardan stroking his white French Beard. It did not end here. Janardan on arrival at the domestic airport in Santacruz walked all the way to Vile Parle to catch a train.

Even after his, he is far from being tired. Instead he is more energetic than many other youth with whom he has participated in several marathons. "I am 81, but I feel like 18. When I would be 82, I will feel 28. Also, contrary to what people believe, I feel my timings improve each year," he said.

As far as being an inspiration is concerned, Janardan does not believe in preaching but leading by an example. Biswajeet Karmakar, a 22-year-old engineering student was one of the many who posed with Janardan for a photograph. With the latter being close to four times his age, Karmakar who finished in 14 minutes could only be in awe of the oldest participant. "Look at the age gap and look at the time difference. You just wonder how he must have done it. Moreover, he says he wanted to do the longer version of the race."

There is a lot that Janardan thanks for his good health. He was given the duty of maintaining a half-acre garden at Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh where he was stationed during his stint with the Railways. Taking care of that meant he had to walk from one end to another. Keeping the plants healthy resulted in Janardan's health also being up to the mark.

Janardan's first attempt at cycling was to make himself and everyone believe that nothing was wrong with his health. After being diagnosed with epilepsy, the retired Railway officer was prescribed medication and bed rest. "I knew medicines alone are not enough. I had to be active. I used to wake up early in the morning and step out when everyone else was sleeping," says Janardan who took cycling in 1997 after his retirement in 1991.

As far as diet and health is concerned, water is the best medicine for Janardan. "I start my day with a glass of water. I drink at least 5-6 litres of water every day. I need to keep myself hydrated as much as possible. Another thing which improves my energy is dates. It is something that I munch on before races. I avoid spicy food. Even normal dal-chawal can be delicious, so is coffee without sugar," says the pure vegetarian, who stays away from fried food.

"I have no heart or knee problem. During the race the heart and pulse rate are bound to increase but not to alarming level. I would have stopped otherwise, but running makes me feel more energetic," he said.
He's 81, but that hasn't stopped him from participating in full marathons, half marathons and duathlons in India and Dubai.

For Janardan, who cycles an average of 50 km a day, there are still some goals to be achieved. "3,84,400 km is the distance between the earth and the moon. I am 40,000 km short of the mark. At the rate that I am going, I will cover it soon," says Janardan who will be giving next year's Mumbai marathon a skip for the Dubai edition.

As far Janardan's last race is concerned, he does not have any plans of hanging his boots, "When I was sick, I decided that I need to be active. As long as I run, I am active. I do not want to go back to being sick again. Cycling and running is my yoga," says the avid Hindustani music lover.