‘Mahasweta Ghosh’s claim of being the first Indian to take part in Marathon des Sables is false

Michelle Kakade, Addresing Media in Press Conference.

First Indian to take part in the event in 2010 Michelle Kakade provides clarification

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 19: ‘Marathon des Sables’ held in the Sahara desert is considered one of the most difficult ultra-marathons in the world. The ‘Marathon Des Sables’ or MDS, is a six-day 250 km ultra marathon. Some months ago, Mahasweta Ghosh of India had taken part in the event. Later, Ghosh had claimed that she was the first Indian to take part in this competition.

However, Pune’s famous runner Michelle Anil Kakade said today in a press conference that she was the First Indian to take part in this event and she had done so in 2010 and said the Ghosh was making false claims.

Apart from running for 6,000 km which is mentioned in the Guinness Book Of World Records, Michelle Kakade has achieved many other feats in running. 

Michelle Kakade, who addressed journalists at Pune Union of Working Journalists, said that ‘Marathon des Sables’ is one of the most difficult ultra-marathons in the world and she had taken part in the event in 2010. “Before me, no Indian had taken part in the event. However, after me, 9 to 10 people from India have participated in the event. Hence, it is wrong of Mahasweta Ghosh to claim that she was the first Indian to take part in the event.  

“I feel proud as an Indian that Mahasweta Ghosh took part in Marathon Des Sables. However, it is not correct to give wrong information and mislead people, media and the government. She has been made aware on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram about her mistake however she blocks comments & profiles of people who have asked her to correct this error.

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