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The Long Run to Redemption: Bharat’s Journey from Addiction to Ultramarathons 

Sometimes, life changes in an instant. For Bharat Bisht, that moment came late one Friday night. He was asleep on the sofa, a half-finished glass of whiskey beside him when his seven-year-old son gently shook him awake. “Daddy, why are you sleeping here? Go to bed,” the boy said.

It was a simple question, but it hit Bharat hard. Looking around at the empty bottles and cigarette butts, he felt an overwhelming sense of shame. That was the moment everything became clear: something had to change.

Life Before It All Fell Apart

Bharat hadn’t always lived like this. In his school days, he was a star footballer known for his speed and agility on the field. He even captained his school team and played against Sunil Chhetri in a district-level tournament. His future seemed promising—he dreamed of playing professional football or joining the Army, following in his father’s footsteps.

But life took an unexpected turn. An injury during a friendly match in college left him with a dislocated knee. His doctor’s warning was final: “Play again, and you could permanently damage your leg.” Devastated, Bharat lost his football dreams and his sense of purpose. He turned to alcohol and cigarettes, first for comfort, then out of habit. What started as occasional drinking with friends quickly became a daily escape.

A Wake-Up Call

For years, Bharat lived in that cycle. Workdays ended with long drinking sessions, and weekends stretched into hazy marathons of late-night parties and empty bottles. But something shifted inside him when his son woke up that night. He knew he needed to change, not just for himself, but for his family.

Bharat tried several times to quit drinking and smoking. Most attempts failed. He even bought a guitar, thinking he’d learn a new hobby to distract himself, but it didn’t work. Nothing stuck, until one day, he remembered something from his past: Running. Running Toward Something New Running had been a big part of Bharat’s life during his football days, so it felt natural to try it again. He started small, jogging around his neighbourhood without worrying about pace or gear. There was no plan — just him, the road, and a desire to feel something other than emptiness. The change didn’t happen overnight. But with each run, Bharat felt a little stronger. Slowly, running replaced drinking. What alcohol once gave him — a high and a sense of validation — he now found in running. Within a year, he signed up for his first marathon - Bengaluru Marathon 2019.

Crossing the finish line in 3 hours and 55 minutes. Bharat saw his son waiting for him at the end. He handed him the medal and said, "This is yours. Every medal I earn is for you."

Finding a New Discipline

Running became a part of Bharat's daily routine. Despite his demanding 9 to 7 job as an Agile Coach, he found time to train by waking up at 5AM and running before work. He supplemented his running with strength training and cycling, always focusing on improving without shortcuts.

In 2024, Bharat took on several races, each one a new challenge:

1) Tata Mumbai Marathon: His favourite race, which he runs every year to honour his late father.

2) Hyderabad Half Marathon: A tough race known for it's challenging hills

3) Malnad Ultra 50K: A gruelling train run in the Western Ghats, filled with steep climbs and rough terrain.

The Malnad Ultra Experience

Of all the races Bharat has run, the Malnad Ultra stands out. It was the hardest race he had ever attempted, with relentless climbs and long stretches of uneven trails. He studied the course, watched vidoes, and visualized how to handle the challenges ahead. But nothing could prepare him for the reality of race day.

The best part? His family was there to cheer him on. As Bharat approached the finish line, he saw his son again waiting for him" Come here", he called. His son ran toward him, and together they crossed the line hand in hand.

Lessons from the Road

Running taught Bharat more than physical endurance. It taught him discipline, patience, and how to adapt when things don't go as planned. Even when setbacks came - line injuries or moments of self-doubt he reminded himself why he started in the first place.

"Motivation doesn't last," Bharat says. "Discipline is what keeps you going. When you know your purpose, nothing can stop you."

Result

He not only earned many medals but became a good father, good husband and a mindful, fitter, happier and active human being. He is an example of Athlit, whose life is lit by recreational sports.

What’s Next

Today, Bharat is working towards running an ultra in the Thar desert to push him to his limits again. He’s also planning more long-distance cycling tours and embracing every opportunity to test his physical and mental strength. But most importantly, Bharat wants to help others. He encourages those struggling with addiction to take that first step — no matter how small. “You don’t need the perfect plan or the best shoes,” he says. “Just start. The results will follow.”

From addiction to ultramarathons, Bharat’s story proves that change is possible — one step at a time. His life is no longer about escaping reality but embracing it. With every run, race, and finish line, he’s writing a new story that’s far from over.

Here is the list of 15 marathons/races that Bharat has conquered so far:

1) TATA MUMBAI MARATHON 42.2K

2) TATA MUMBAI MARATHON 21.1K

3) BENGALURU MARATHON 42.2K

4) BENGALURU MARATHON 21.1K

5) BENGALURU 10K CHALLENGE

6) THUMP CELEBRATION BENGALURU 20MILER

7) KARNATAKA STATE POLICE 10K

8) BMF ULTRA 15K

9) CELEBRATION MYSURU 30K

10) TCS 10K

11) CELEBRATION MYSURU 21.1K

12) HYDERABAD MARATHON 21.1K

13) MALNAD ULTRA 50K

14) NOIDA Marathon 21.1k

15) ONE NATION RUN 21.1K