Seema Verma

MUMBAI: Nalasopara resident Seema Verma has made it to the winners’ podium at many running events over the last few years, but it’s her personal story of grit that inspires fellow-runners the most.

Verma, a 38-year-old single mother who survived an abusive marriage, worked as domestic help before one of the “memsahibs” helped her take up running professionally.

Today, Verma — mother of a 19-year-old boy — makes a living only out of running. While she refuses to reveal how much she earns, she said, “When I finish in the podium, I get something like Rs 20,000. Collectively, these earnings help me survive.” Considering that Verma finished on the podium in 14 of the races she ran through 2019, it would be safe to assume she made over Rs 2 lakh – considerably more than a domestic help would make in a year.

She isn’t yet an elite marathoner — a title that requires women to complete the 42-km run in roughly 3:05 hours — but she finished on the podium of the Tata Mumbai Marathon held in January with a timing of 3:52:58 hours.

Verma was married at when she was 17-years-old to an alcoholic who deserted her and their son within four years of their wedding. Forced to fend for herself and her toddler, Seema took up odd jobs, including being a househelp. One of her employers, who knew about Verma’s love for sports, exhorted her to take up running to supplement her income. Now, eight years after starting her journey as a runner, she only depends on running to survive.

