Ultra-Marathoner Sufiya Sufi Nears Sixth Guinness World Record, Reaches Kashmir During 5,000-km 'Run for Dreams'

India's renowned ultra-marathon runner Sufiya Sufi has reached Kashmir as part of her 5,000-kilometre 'Run for Dreams' from Kanyakumari to Karakoram, dedicated to the Indian Armed Forces protecting the nation's borders. Through this expedition, she aims to set her sixth Guinness World Record. As she entered Banihal on the 67th day of her journey, personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) welcomed her and accompanied her for a stretch of the run. A Rajasthan-based endurance runner, Sufiya is undertaking the marathon to spread the message of resilience, determination and patriotism across the country. Security personnel escorted her as she entered Banihal, the gateway to the Kashmir Valley. Sufiya is attempting to create her sixth Guinness World Record by completing the demanding run from India's southernmost tip, Kanyakumari, to the Kargil Vijay Memorial. Having covered thousands of kilometres over more than two months, she is now only a few hundred kilometres away from achieving the milestone. Speaking on the occasion, Sufiya said the historic endurance challenge has been dedicated to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. She expressed confidence that she would soon reach the Kargil Vijay Memorial and add another Guinness World Record to her name. She said she has already set five Guinness World Records and undertakes long-distance runs every year in honour of the Indian Armed Forces. She has previously completed endurance runs from Siachen to Kargil and Galwan to Kargil, dedicating both expeditions to the Army. Sufiya said the ongoing journey is not merely a sporting challenge but also a campaign to promote fitness, women's empowerment, national unity and the spirit of perseverance. The overwhelming support and affection she has received from people across the country, she added, continue to inspire her throughout the expedition. She is accompanied by her husband, Vikas, along with a media team and a support vehicle. As part of her record attempt, she runs more than 70 kilometres every day. If everything goes according to schedule, Sufiya is expected to reach the Kargil Vijay Memorial and successfully complete her sixth Guinness World Record attempt. "We need to overcome the mental barrier that women cannot achieve such feats. Once you take the first step, the roads open on their own, and you find supportive people everywhere. Our inner voice should awaken," she said. The 39-year-old runner has already earned a Guinness World Record for her Manali-to-Leh Run, covering the 480-kilometre route in 98.2 hours, breaking her own previous record of 156 hours despite facing extreme sub-zero temperatures and high-altitude conditions. Her second Guinness World Record came when she became the fastest woman to complete the 6,002-kilometre Golden Quadrilateral on foot, connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai in 110 days, 23 hours and 24 minutes.