Nikita Dutta recently participated in the Mumbai Marathon and accomplished the half marathon feat, marking her 10th half marathon in a row. Talking about the experience, the actor says, “I am from Mumbai, and you experience the flavour of the city while running. Besides running on the Sea Link, the best part starts when you get to the Worli Sea Face and Peddar Road, which is the residential area. It has that old Mumbai charm. You have so many residents out there, who selflessly hold cards, and offer food and water. You have all sorts of people which is a beautiful feeling of inclusivity.”

The 34-year-old says if “you’re a naturally fit person, consistent all through the year”, it’s easy to run 21 kms. She goes on to talk about her prep for the marathon. “In December, every Sunday, I target a long run between 10 km to 15 km. I focus on strengthening my legs, as you need strong legs to sustain the distance. Just when November is about to end and December draws close, my mind starts focusing and figuring out the long-distance running days. Taking part in the marathon began as a random activity, but it has become such an important part of my life now. Everybody should do this at least once in life,” says Nikita.

She admits that she likes the vibe of unity that’s felt around the marathon time. “You do not get to see the spirit of Mumbai in a nightclub; you see it during the Mumbai marathon, because that’s when the city comes alive.”

The actor has a background in athletics, as she used to run and play basketball in school, but she never pursued it. She recalls that back in 2012, when she was about to take part in Miss India and didn’t know much about losing weight, she opted for running. “I just started running because that’s the most accessible thing for anybody who doesn’t know much. And that’s how I took to running,” shares Nikita.