The Six-Star Finish: Ludhiana Runner Sameera Auluck Conquers the World Marathon
For endurance runners across the world, completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors is considered one of the ultimate achievements. Ludhiana’s Sameera Auluck has now joined this elite group after finishing all six of the iconic races and earning the coveted Six Star Medal. Her final milestone came at the Tokyo Marathon on March 1, 2026, marking the completion of a remarkable journey across the world’s most celebrated marathon courses.The Abbott World Marathon Majors include the marathons held in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Finishing each of these races demands years of dedication, physical stamina, and mental discipline. Sameera began this journey with the Berlin Marathon in 2023. Over the next two years, she steadily worked her way through the demanding circuit, running through the streets of London, Chicago, New York, and Boston before finally crossing the last finish line in Tokyo. With that final race, she secured the rare Six Star Medal, a distinction held by only a small community of marathon runners worldwide.The Cyclist Who Found a New TrackInterestingly, Sameera’s journey into endurance sports did not begin with running. A fashion designer by profession and a mother of three teenagers, she first built her reputation in the cycling community. Long before marathon bibs and finish lines became part of her routine, she was pushing limits on two wheels.Her passion for long-distance cycling saw her complete some of the most demanding brevet rides 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, and 600 km, earning her the internationally recognised Super Randonneur title from the Audax Club Parisien. One of her most memorable achievements came during the “Gate-to-Gate” ride from India Gate in Delhi to the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Covering nearly 1,460 kilometres over five nights and six days, Sameera cycled close to 280 kilometres every day. The ride tested her endurance, focus, and determination, and cemented her reputation as a serious long-distance athlete.Discovering the Marathon SpiritRunning entered Sameera’s life only in recent years, but she embraced it with the same discipline that defined her cycling achievements. Around 2021, she began focusing on long-distance running and soon started making a mark in competitive races.She claimed gold medals at the Tuffman Goa Beach Half Marathon and the Tuffman Kasauli Hills Half Marathon, signalling her growing strength in the sport. Over time, she participated in several major running events, including the Tata Mumbai Marathon and other competitive races across India. These experiences gradually built the endurance and confidence needed to take on the world’s biggest marathons.A Story of Balance and DeterminationWhat makes Sameera Auluck’s journey particularly inspiring is the balance she maintains between multiple roles. Alongside her athletic pursuits, she continues her work in fashion and manages family life as a mother of three. Her achievements highlight the possibility of pursuing personal ambitions while fulfilling professional and family responsibilities.For Sameera, endurance sports are not simply about medals or finish lines. They represent persistence, discipline, and the courage to step beyond comfort zones. By completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors, she has not only achieved a personal dream but also created an inspiring example for athletes and women across the country. Her journey shows that passion and perseverance can carry a person from local roads in Ludhiana to the biggest marathon stages in the world.
