Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Name : Neelam Talwar
Gender : Female
Age : 52 Years
Designation : Air Hostess
Name of the Organisation : Air India

• An energetic and creative multitasker between career as an Air Hostess with Air India since 1993, role as a mother, wife, daughter, a baker, a Night Sky Photographer and dedicating time to being a passionate runner.
• Sports was an everyday routine in Neelam’s school life along with studies. Her sports teachers in school constantly worked hard with her on the tracks.
• At home, she was encouraged by her mother and in the field by her teachers. Her Summer vacations were always spent in sports camps held by The Sports Authority of India (SAI) at Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Her efforts culminated in participation in the National Level Athletics meet from 1985 to 1988. She went to participate in the meet held at Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, NDA Khadakvasla – Pune. During her college days, she continued her athletics with participation in Karnataka State level sports meet.
• She joined Air India in 1993 as an Air Hostess. She was excited and mesmerised as she got to see the beautiful and diverse cities and the wonders of the world which she had only read about in the books. Athletics took a backseat for an extended period after she started work with Air India.
• She has travelled from breathing allergy issues to stressed out lifestyle. Finally she decided to take up Yoga, Tennis and marathon running.
• She was immersed in running during her career with Air India, She feels happy to wear the Air India shirt while running the Marathons across India. She ran her first Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in 2009.
• Ever since then she has regularly participated in various marathons in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. (Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, now known as the Tata Mumbai Marathon, TCS Bengaluru World 10K, Pinkathon Women’s marathon at Delhi, ITBP Marathon Delhi, Mawana Marathon – Delhi) She is a finisher of the World’s Highest Marathon held at Ladakh. She stood 5th and 8th respectively in the Women’s Veteran category in 2012 and 2013.
• The Pandemic did not deter her from running.. Procam running in collaboration with Giveindia and Sunfeast took the initiative of this unique event which started on 15th August 2020 and she ran the event.
• She believes Health is Wealth and participation is more important than winning. She is passionate about running and it works as a stress buster for her. Regular running has made her a fitter, stronger and a focused person.She has accomplished her goal by sheer hard work and support from her family.
• She paced the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2017 the first time and went on to pace the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018. Thereafter she was The Dilli Ki Shaan in the TCSW10K 2018 All Women’s Squadron of 19. She is delighted and is looking forward to her 6th pacing assignment.
• It gives her an inner satisfaction and happiness to encourage and motivate her fellow runners to touch the finish line. She says that “It is pretty awesome to watch someone cross that finish line for the first time or in a time they never thought they would reach.” She also believes her endeavour is fulfilled when her fellow runners thank her for the encouragement, motivation and support.
• Her pacing strategy is believing in yourself, stay focused and you can do it.