I’m Kuldip Matharu from Birmingham, UK. I love to train (running and gym) and I also like my beer!
Tell us your story!
I am a new inductee to the renowned Hall of Fame after finishing all Six Abbott World Marathon Majors – London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Tokyo and, Boston. My story started as an out-of-breath amateur to a medallion-wearing running champ!
After two long years of Covid restrictions, I was finally able to fulfil my ambition of competing in the Boston Marathon alongside two of my friends who I started the marathon journey with.
Before 2012 I couldn’t even run more than a mile, I actually hated running!
In 2012, I was far away from imagining a future in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Hall of Fame. Indeed, thirteen years ago I would much rather go to the gym than attempt to run a mile! I used to do a mile and huff and puff on my way back.
My love of running was born when I was encouraged to take part in a half marathon for the first time in Ealing. It’s something I never would have undertaken without the encouragement from a close friend and training partner known in the running community as ‘Super Singh!
The bug quickly took hold and by 2017, I completed the London Marathon for the third time and the New York Marathon. It was only then I set my heart on the Majors, in part, down to the mesmerising six-star medallion that I noticed hanging around a few of the runners’ necks whilst having a celebratory drink in the Hard Rock Café in New York! I went up to one of the 2017 six-star finisher and asked him whether I could have a look at his medal. Once I held and saw the medal up close, I was inspired to complete all Six Majors! I didn’t think that any other event could beat the London Marathon until running the Boston Marathon (both on par). I got to live my dream of getting that Six Star medal.
The question was then… what do I do next?
The next goal became running London 10 times (number 9 this year + plus 1 covid virtual). I ran my London first marathon for VICTA in 2013, joining a community of like-minded enthusiasts targeting the same goal. From start to finish, it was the best experience that I’ve ever had! The team are brilliant. I managed to get to know lots of people who were running the marathon and we were all after the same goal.
VICTA was perfect and the support is brilliant. The course and the way the crowd cheered us on was just next level! It really lived up to the hype, therefore I keep coming back for more and VICTA have allowed me to fulfil my dream of running London 10 times. Hopefully I’ll be running Sydney in 2026!!!
Why did you decide to run the 2025 London Marathon as part of #TeamVICTA?
I ran for VICTA in my first ever marathon (London) in 2013, they gave me the opportunity, always wanted to run with them again, I’m so glad they let me join the team again in 2024 & 2025 to complete my 10th London Marathon!
What’s your Planned Finish Time for the 2025 London Marathon?
3.49 (as long as my back doesn’t play up).
Do you have any advice for anyone running or planning to run?
Even when you think you can’t do it, trust me the crowd will get you through it and just think of the first thing you are going to do! The first thing I will do is grab a beer (as I always go dry from 31 December until race day at the end of April).
A big shout out to my family who have supported me all the way!
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