Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 21 (ANI): With over 30,000 participants lining up for the World 10K Bengaluru on Sunday, April 27, one runner will stand out, not for his pace, but for what he carries with him. Ketan Abhonkar, a mechanical engineer from Pune and accomplished endurance runner, will be attempting the 10K while juggling three balls, in a rare athletic pursuit known as joggling.

The World 10K carries particular significance, as it is the final event Abhonkar needs to complete the prestigious Procam Slam title. The title is awarded to runners who finish all four of India's major distance races, organised by Procam International, within a single season.

Abhonkar will showcase the sport of joggling, where participants run while juggling three balls continuously. It is a highly unusual and challenging combination of physical endurance and mental coordination. Although joggling is recognised in more than 32 countries, with hundreds of practitioners worldwide, it remains virtually unknown in India. Abhonkar is believed to be the country's first and only joggler to have completed full marathons while maintaining a juggling pattern throughout.

A software professional now, Abhonkar began running in 2015. 'It started with small distances, three or five kilometres, and eventually led to full marathons,' he says. Over the years, he has completed six full marathons, more than 50 half marathons, and over 100 10K events.

It was during the pandemic that his journey took an unconventional turn. 'I discovered juggling almost accidentally while playing cricket with family during lockdown,' he recalls. 'I realised I had a natural ability and started exploring it further.' Inspired by international jogglers, he began to train himself to run while juggling, first in isolation, and then in organised events.

His first joggling race, a 5K event, was met with curiosity and encouragement. 'At first I was hesitant about how people would react. But the reception from spectators and the media was incredibly positive, and it encouraged me to keep going.'

Since then, Abhonkar has completed several high-profile Indian road races while joggling, including Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Steel 25K in Kolkata, Pune International Marathon, Satara Hill Half Marathon and He also successfully attempted the Tata Ultra Marathon (50KM), one of the longest recorded joggling efforts in India.

His achievements have earned recognition both nationally and internationally. In 2024, he was named Pune Passion Icon and received the Worldwide Joggler of the Year award. He has also been featured in the India Book of Records for his marathon joggling accomplishment.

Abhonkar's training regimen is intensive and carefully structured. He typically runs three days a week, including long runs on Sundays, and devotes the remaining days to strength training, core conditioning, and cross-training activities such as cycling and hiking. He trains with the Pune Running community, a collective of endurance athletes that provides both structure and support.

'In the beginning, I was so focused on the juggling pattern that I could not even look up,' he says. 'During my first marathon, my neck and shoulders were exhausted by the end, and I could barely hold a water bottle. But with practice, I've reached a point where I can actually smile at photographers, interact with the crowd, and enjoy the experience.'

Despite the physical and mental demands of joggling, Abhonkar says it brings him peace. 'Over time, it has become almost meditative,' he explains. 'I do not think about work, home, or anything else. It is a complete focus zone, a no-thinking zone.'

Through his journey, he hopes to encourage others to approach fitness with creativity and commitment. 'The records are secondary. What matters most is staying active and finding enjoyment in movement. Whether it is yoga, Surya Namaskar, or running, the key is consistency.'(ANI)