About - Dr Erika Patel
- Dr Erika Patel started running in 2016; however, she has always been into fitness since school. She joined Chennai Runners in 2016, after which she did her first 10 km. Since then, she has done numerous short-distance races (10 km and half marathons), hill runs and multiple full marathons.
- She ran throughout her pregnancy and postpartum and also did a couple of races during pregnancy. She actively works to promote fitness in pregnancy and postpartum.
- She has completed The Comrades Marathon (90 km) in South Africa three times: in 2022 and 2023, earning the Back-to-Back Medal, and again in 2026, achieving her first up run with a personal best of 10:34:04. She has also completed six Abbott World Marathon Majors, Berlin, Chicago, New York, London, Tokyo and Sydney, along with the Great Wall of China Marathon.
- She mentors women runners in long-distance races such as the Full Marathon and Twenty-Miler. She also heads She Races India, the Indian branch of the global SheRACES initiative, which accredits events based on gender equity guidelines.
- Dr Patel also runs a non-profit, Hope Ladder Sports Foundation, that helps transform the lives of grassroots-level athletes.
