Stockport Mum Breaks World Record at adidas Manchester Marathon Running in Saree

Update (19.03.2026):
Madhusmita Jena set a new world record at the 2026 adidas Manchester Marathon for the fastest marathon run in a saree (female), finishing in 3:45:39 and underscoring the diversity and personal stories that define the event.

(see original story below)

Stockport mum of two and special educational needs (SEND) teacher, Madhusmita Jena, is attempting to break a Guinness World Record for completing the adidas Manchester Marathon in a saree in under 3 hours and 50 minutes, 5 minutes faster than the current record holder.

Having been born in England, growing up in Saudi Arabia and moving to various countries, including Dubai and Bahrain, Madhusmita is taking on this challenge to empower women of all ethnic backgrounds to make time for themselves and move in whatever makes them comfortable.

“My initial motivation for running in a saree was to represent Indian culture and heritage, but it’s since blossomed into promoting how women can run in whatever makes them feel most comfortable.”

From Advocate to Avid Marathoner:

Madhusmita has been a champion for women throughout her running journey, advocating for women wearing hijabs to run in Egypt, and this inspired ‘saree runs’ in villages in India. She hopes that by attempting this Guinness World Record, she can prove that running can be done in any type of clothing.

Madhusmita added: “achieving this record in England would give me the platform to show British Asians, and by extension, women globally just what they can achieve for themselves.”

Although aiming to run in record time, this won’t be Madhusmita’s first marathon in the saree. The 46-year-old has ran three full and two half marathons in the traditional South Asian garment, with her fastest time being 4 hours and 18 minutes in the 2024 Berlin Marathon, meaning she’ll have to shave off almost half an hour to achieve the Guinness World Record.

To help her achieve this mean feat, Madhusmita has adapted the way she drapes the six-yard saree so it does not catch on her feat when she is running. She also uses a more light weight material to help her run more efficiently and more comfortably.

Where it began:

Madhusmita first started running when she joined a marathon training group in Dubai, when her oldest son was just three months old. She reported “falling in love with the liberating feeling” running gave her, adding that it was “a form of meditation” for her.

“When I had my first child, I found that I spent a lot of time indoors, and so I started running to get out of the house. I actually found giving myself time to do something I enjoy helped me be a better mother.”

Seven months later, Madhustmita found herself participating in her first ever marathon at the age of 29 in Dubai, completing it in a time of 3 hours and 49 minutes.

Now in her forties, Madhusmita has found peri-menopause has been a new challenge to conquer in her running journey, affecting her energy levels. As such, she has adapted her training style by doing interval training over tempo runs. As a busy working mum supporting her two children, she often finds that a mix of early morning running, cross-training, or weight training helps her prepare and suits her lifestyle.

Community Impact of Breaking the World Record:

In addition to empowering people of all backgrounds to get out and exercise in whatever they choose, Madhusmita has also chosen to raise funds for Heaton School, Stockport’s Secondary Special School for young people with severe learning difficulties, where she teaches.

Madhusmita will raise money for an eye gaze device which helps individuals with additional needs control a computer screen with their eye movement. She commented that it would “be life-changing for pupils with Cerebral Palsy”.