Running is a simple yet beautiful activity that can open a world of learning for anyone. Runner’s High is a social enterprise, inspired by the infinite possibilities of learning and growth that running as a sport offers.

Our founder, Santhosh Padmanabhan, even as a kid, loved to run. But, somehow along the way, different plans were made. He was disillusioned with an academic philosophy that laid too much emphasis on classroom learning and examinations. Like his peers, he reached the USA for higher studies. Ironically, he got more sensitive about the real issues in India - its one-dimensional education system, the apathy of the government and its policy failures, when he was in the USA than when he was growing up in India.

Runners High Pune was created in Mar 2019 when it had the first batch of 7 runners being trained with the support of the Runners High Bengaluru.

The first few batches consisted of runners who were residents of Amanora Park town, Pune that had come together to form a running community that trains together to run long distances. RH Pune trained through the pandemic and has now been training and running together for more than 4 years and has runners from Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Norway & Canada.

The training program, at RH Pune, caters towards long distance endurance running/walking and will cater to each runner based on their background, abilities and expectations. Anyone can register and join to train to run or walk long distances (5K, 10K or Half Marathons). All that is required from you is commitment, discipline and a desire to accomplish the goal you set yourself.

Running in itself brings benefits to the individual in terms of mental, physical and emotional health. Anyone can start running, but the challenge is in imbibing it as part of your lifestyle. That is where a community like Runner’s High makes a difference. We create a family that acts as a support system to adopt running as part of your life. While a runner initially joins us for the personal benefits of health and fitness, soon they realize there is a larger meaning to their running and the community. Whether or not our runners get involved in our efforts with the community and society, they are still a part of the vibrant positive culture we have created. The community helps our runners evolve. Each one of us become better human beings thanks to running. We understand the true meaning of responsibility, discipline, determination, hard work, patience, diligence, respect, humility, sacrifice, community, cooperation, hope....and the list goes on.

Runner’s High as a community has come a long way in its existence over the last decade. We have been successful in

• Creating a beautiful community of volunteers who see running NOT as personal achievement but as a way of giving back to the community.
• Helping many overcome their personal battles with health - physical or mental
• Training many children who are now confident adults, continuing with their running and many taking up careers in physical fitness - as coaches, life skills instructors, gym trainers, dancers, karate instructors etc.

The list of achievements might go on, but these are only milestones in a journey. At the end of the day, if we have touched a few lives, brought about smiles, while smiling ourselves and inspired positive change, we believe we have achieved our mission.