A Bhamre patriarch, who’s had a long time to accumulate many “land” miles over a century is all set to add a few more this Sunday, as the 103-year-old will walk for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

Currently visiting his daughter, Malegaon’s Dagadu Bhamre, who turned 103 earlier this week, loves to go for his morning and evening walks. Seeing his enthusiasm, his son-in-law helped Bhamre enrol for the upcoming marathon.

Bhamre’s son-in-law Subash Wani (63) says, “I have been following the marathon for the last two years. As a 102-year-old, former marathon runner Fauja Singh attended one as a guest. This inspired me to enrol my father-in-law, who is also fit to walk.” Wani has also signed up for the 4.3 km senior citizens walk along with his father-in-law.

Bhamre, who has worked as an accountant, has six sons and two daughters, and a brood of as many as 56 members.

Free of modern-day health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart and respiratory illnesses, his well-being, food and exercise habits could be an inspiration to many. He’s been a vegetarian all his life. “A glass of milk, rotis, sabzi, and a small portion of rice followed by fruit is my daily diet,” Bhamre says.

“The only beverage I consume is tea, a cup in the morning and one in evening. I do not eat out, smoke or drink,” he says.

The centenarian loves reading Marathi books and newspapers, meeting people and striking conversations with shopkeepers in his neighbourhood. During his younger days, he would go on treks and spend most of his time outdoors. Bhamre realises that time has changed. “Ever since phones were introduced, people don’t socialise. They also eat a lot of packaged foods, which ruins one’s health.”

His daughter, Mrunalini Wani, 59, says, “He has never been hospitalised. Even today, he exercises to the extent he can. Whether it is walking, sit-ups, flexibility exercises, making his bed or changing clothes, he is fairly independent.”

Bhamre confesses there is no secret for his health. “Healthy eating, walking and following simple exercises with a happy attitude is the only routine I follow,” he says.