Want to dive deeper into Roni’s transformation story?

🎙️ Watch the full episode now: https://bit.ly/4c8Bqa3

The Relentless Stride: The Story of Roni Thomas

Roni transformed himself from 100 kg to 64 kg with just 8% body fat. But what made that possible? A sauna belt? A strict diet plan? Ozempic? No, none of that. It took 10 years of grit, determination, and relentless effort—starting in 2013 while working a full-time 9-to-5 job.

This isn’t the story of a sponsored athlete whose only focus is training and competing. This is about an IT professional who balances a demanding job with training like an elite athlete, proving that a healthy, active life is possible for everyone. You could say he’s an Athlit—whose life is lit by recreational sports. Born in Kerala and raised in Uttar Pradesh, Roni was active in athletics during college. But once his IT career took off, sports took a backseat. Seeking stability, he moved to New Jersey, where he now works as a Director of Software Engineering at NASDAQ. Like many professionals, his days revolved around work and family—until he decided to reclaim the athlete within him.

In 2013, in his late 30s, Roni weighed 100 kg. Like many middle-aged men, he realised it was time to prioritise his health. He joined a soccer club, but he kept injuring himself. His first attempt at fitness was through soccer, but his body wasn’t ready for the strain. Around the same time, a friend shared their experience of finishing a half marathon. The idea fascinated Roni—running for hours without stopping felt impossible. Yet, the challenge sparked something in him.

Picture: Early days of Running.

In 2015, Roni signed up for his first half marathon with no structured training or strategy—his only goal was to finish. When he crossed the finish line in 2:08, something clicked. The runner’s high ignited a passion, and soon, running became a central part of his life. Determined to push further, he signed up for the New York City Marathon. Unlike the half marathon, this tested his endurance in every possible way. Humbled by the challenge, he finished in 4:26—a race that taught him a crucial lesson: to improve, an athlete needs structure, discipline, and a plan.

Roni, the Community Builder:

Running is a solo sport if you want it to be, but Roni believed in the power of community. He founded New Jersey Maniacs, a running club for those who wanted to make running a lifestyle.

Unlike typical running groups, New Jersey Maniacs stands for progress with running, wasn't such as racing, competing, and striving to improve. The club quickly gained traction, attracting serious runners aiming to qualify for elite races like the Boston Marathon.Through his relentless pursuit of growth, Roni inspired dozens of runners. He wasn’t just running marathons anymore—he was coaching, mentoring, and building a culture of excellence.

Picture: New Jersey Maniacs

The Boston Dream and Breaking Barriers

Determined to improve, Roni immersed himself in the science of running—studying pacing, nutrition, and high-mileage training. Progress was steady.

Sub-4? Achieved. Sub-3:30? Done.
But one goal stood above the rest: qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon, because of its qualification standards, is a gold standard for serious runners. For Roni, that meant breaking the elusive 3-hour-20-minute barrier. To achieve that, he needed a 3:20 or faster marathon. It felt like a massive leap, but he was ready to put in the work. He increased his weekly mileage, added strength training, and trained alongside experienced runners. But the real breakthrough came when he stopped chasing arbitrary goals and focused on consistency. In 2020, after years of effort, he told his friends: "I’m getting my BQ at Mesa."

Picture: Roni before the Mesa Marathon

As determined as he was, he broke the barrier with a 3:16 marathon, securing his place in the prestigious Boston Marathon. 

Picture: Roni running the Mesa Marathon

His transformation from a casual jogger to a sub-3:15 marathoner proved that discipline and perseverance could push human limits. Although he broke the barrier to qualify for the Boston Marathon, he couldn't participate in Boston in 2020 due to COVID-19. He ran his first marathon after COVID-19 in NYC, bettering his time from Mesa by 2 minutes. 

Picture: Roni, running the NYC marathon in 2021

He finally made it to the Boston Marathon in 2022, realising the dream he had worked hard for many years. He also proved he belonged there by finishing it in 3:07.   

Picture: Roni running the Boston Marathon in 2022
New Challenge:

For those passionate about excellence, goals are just pit stops in a lifelong journey. Boston was conquered now, and Roni set his sights on an even bigger challenge—breaking sub-3.

He lived by one philosophy: consistency is the game changer. Since 2017, he had been running three marathons a year. But in 2023, he went into beast mode. As Roni puts it, "Sometimes, we feel immortal—like we can achieve anything." And he proved it. Six marathons in one year. Three in spring, three in fall. He put in the hard yards, running 100 miles a week for most of 2023.

The result? A lean, disciplined athlete with just 8% body fat—all while sticking to a regular Indian diet.

Picture: Roni at the age of 48 with only 8% body fat.

His hard work did yield results. He almost achieved his goal of sub-3 at the Chicago Marathon 2023, finishing in 3:01.

Picture: Roni running the Chicago Marathon in 2022 The resilience to comeback from injury

Most runners stick to two marathons a year—but Roni? He ran six in 2023. Pushing limits, however, came at a cost. His body grew so weak that even his pet could topple him. In 2024, such an accident led to a meniscus injury, forcing him to put his sub-3 goal on hold.

Picture: Roni recovering from meniscus injury.

Injuries never stop people who are consumed by running ☺. Roni stayed committed—sticking to his rehab routine, hitting the gym, and refusing to lose momentum. For him, running isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life, a discipline that shapes everything he does.

Would you believe he ran 3 marathons in the fall of the same year of injury?
Of course, you would. By now, you know Roni.

A year after his injury, he’s back—running 120-130km per month and gearing up to earn his Six Star medal in Tokyo.

The Support System

Running is a solo sport, but one can't integrate it into their life without the support of family. For Roni, his biggest support system is his wife, Reeja Thomas. But she’s not just cheering from the sidelines. She runs, trains, and races alongside him. Every runner chasing bigger goals needs a Reeja by their side.

Picture: Reeja training with Roni.

Picture: Reeja running the NYC marathon with Roni

Picture: Reeja supporting Roni at the Boston Marathon

Beyond Running: A Legacy in Motion

Today, Roni continues to train, race, and inspire others. He runs seven days a week, competes in four marathons annually, and coaches aspiring athletes like Manoj Agarwal, a Bangalore-based runner striving to break the 4-hour marathon barrier.

His coaching philosophy is simple—structure, consistency, and belief. Roni's influence extends beyond time and distance. He has fostered a culture where runners believe in themselves, challenge their limits, and transform their lives. He dreams of being the best runner he can be and building one of the fastest and strongest faster-running communities in New Jersey and beyond.

As he prepares for his next marathon, he upholds the same values that shaped his journey: progress over perfection, discipline over motivation, and community over competition. Running changed his life, and through his story, he hopes to inspire others to take that first step—because, for him, every mile was worth it. Oh, and in case you were wondering he still works a 9-5. 

If you were sitting on the couch when you started reading this, then you must be running now.
#BeAthlit Here is the list of 26 on-ground marathons that Roni has conquered so far apart from 5 virtual marathons he has finished:

Roni to get inspired every day:

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/20395355  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troni