Nikhil Kumar Vajja Completes 80-km Overnight Run Across Charminar and City Landmarks

Hyderabad runner Nikhil Kumar Vajja completed an 80-kilometre overnight run through the city to mark Independence Day, following a route that passed prominent heritage and cultural landmarks including Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Kachiguda railway station.

The 27-year-old athlete undertook the challenge, dubbed Project R80, by tying the total distance to the 80th Independence Day. He commenced the run around 10 pm on August 14 from the Ambedkar statue and ran for approximately 10 hours through the night before reaching the finish line on the morning of August 15.

Along with Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Kachiguda railway station, Vajja's route took him past KBR Park, the Cable Bridge, and Shilparamam. Although various runners joined him to offer company over specific stretches of the journey, Vajja completed the entire 80-kilometre distance on his own.

Vajja dedicated around four months to training for the run, steadily scaling up his practice sessions from 10 km to 70 km before the final undertaking. The initiative followed a 79-kilometre bicycle ride he had completed on August 15 the previous year.

"I got a thought that, why don’t I do an 80-km run? It was just an idea, a crazy idea," Vajja said, adding that Project R80 initially began as a personal test to prove whether he could achieve the distance.

The finish point was set at the Outer Ring Road cycling track, aligning with the Ignite Hyderabad "Freedom to Move" event organised by Hyderabad Cycling Revolution. The morning cycling programme drew an estimated 200 to 250 participants, with organiser and triathlon athlete Anjani P coordinating the ride. Vajja noted that he drew inspiration from Anjani and aimed to finish his run alongside the gathering cyclists.

Following the conclusion of the 10-hour run, Vajja credited the supporters who assisted him throughout the night. "When I completed my 80 kilometres today morning, I felt like the credit goes to everyone who supported me along the way. It’s really not possible without them," he said.