Nov 30, 2025
3 min read
Mumbai's runners and cyclists are torn between exercising outdoors and avoiding worsening air pollution.As AQI levels rise, athletes discuss safer routes
Runners, cyclists confused about exercise;as pollution rises, early risers see "dawn ko pakadana mushkil hi nahi, nemumkin hi"
Nihar Mehta believes that it is all about finding a balance
It's a heart problem.Runners and surfers who hit their heels and wheels in the morning struggle with their training/workout late if the ventilation is damaged or just gone.Looking around the city in the morning, we see running legs and pedals lining our streets.However, "the issue of damage is a big concern," said all runners, cyclists.
P Venkataraman, running coach and running evangelist said, "Running has always been about length. (distance running), but these days the talk is about breathing. How do we breathe while running every day? Is running outside doing more harm than good? These debates are an important part of today's public conversation."
Ravi Agarwal is one with his machine
"There are places in the city where the AQI (air quality index) is very high," Koch said. "One way to deal with that is to run by the ocean... sort of, Marine Drive or Carter Road Promenade, or Shivaji Park, Worli Promenade. But having said that, we have to admit that not all runners are particularly eager to get to those places. Every breath you take while running brings in pollutants."
One is trying to run with a mask on 0, but not everyone can be a masked player.People with respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) work indoors in a pressurized environment with good air conditioning.They need to adapt in different ways."
Venkataraman enjoys the joy of running.pics / by custom arrangement
У нас ёсць Kayee's City на Maritide Long time runs long run to 'Long-Long-Long-Long Susch Sush Riders, "Using a mask to the mask".
BHULESHWAR SUIVER Ravi Agarwal, founder of Sobo Cyclists, said: "Pedal pollution is definitely the most important thing for regular cychanists. It is too high season for the other-wheeler. There is also high season for the other-wheeler. There is also high season for the two-wheeler. There is also high season for the two-wheeler. There is also high season for the two-wheeler. There is also high season for the two-wheeler. There is also high season for the two-wheeler, so people ask, 'Do we go out and cycle for endurance or do we not go out at all?'This is the situation in most of us."
Suresh Rathod talks about medals and miles
Agarwal emphasized, "There is pollution outside of Mumbai too, especially about Deuralia, especially all this" all this in the hands of the government, I have experienced, we have to use our dependence on cars. For a short distance like 2-km, one can
Santacruz runner Nihar Mehta, who will run the 21km TMM in January, says, "Athletes also give a lot of advice. Some of them telling people not to go out and run may be well-intentioned. However, I find it ironic that people who advise runners are often fighting a war against themselves! I think it's a balancing act. When you come back from running, a treadmill in the gym can be helpful, but then, many gyms don't do that.allow members to walk more than 20 minutes because there are waiting lines."
Finally, Mehta summarizes the attitudes of the community that believe running is a healing soup for the 'individual' (pun intended).
