Sifat Fahmida Naosin, better known as Eti, is the first Bangladeshi woman to run 200 kilometres during the Coastal Ultra 2025 held in Cox's Bazar last month. She was also the first female runner from Bangladesh to complete 100k in 2020. Dhaka Tribune caught up with the ace long-distance female runner for an interview. Here are the excerpts:
Why did you want to be in marathon?
I played sports since childhood. I went to my grandfather’s home in India and saw the girls play football. I played cricket and football with the boys in my village. I watched volleyball in the school. They took me to places (for games). When the opportunity of marathon came, I just took it.
Can you recall your first run?
The first one – I don’t think it was a run – I walked for 42km at Marine Drive (Cox’s Bazar). It was called running marathon but I finished it walking as I didn’t practice or run before. It was in 2009. I started running in 10k short-distance.
When did it take place?
The first women’s marathon (10k) was held in 2016. I was with the organisers. They asked me to run but I feared that I could not do well as I didn’t run enough. Then I returned to my home. I practiced there and I joined in a 21km run from Dinajpur city to Kantajew Mandir. I went there to see how I can run. I finished the run in two hours and 17 minutes. Then I thought I could do it. I finished fifth during 2017 women’s marathon. There were prizes for top five finishers. I won it. The top four finishers were athletes. They were involved with sports. This way, I ran in many 10k events in the same year. In 2018, I thought I should do something longer – a full marathon (42k). I registered for a full marathon in Assam and a 25k run at Purulia-Ayodhya hills. In the end I only ran at the 25k event. I met many people during this run. This helped me. I finished first there. I ran in many events in India like Mumbai Marathon, Delhi Half Marathon, a 25k event in Kolkata. I also ran in a 60k ultra in marathon. I had fear at first but in the end I finished the run well.
Which run did you enjoy the most?
Every run had its own kind. The Mukteshwar Ultra was held in Uttar Pradesh, India. It was a beautiful place. The white mountains can be seen from distance. It was a 50k run.
You perhaps got very tired after the first marathon…
I got sick after the first one. I was taken to my room on the third floor in arms. It happened because I didn’t practice previously. It never happened again once I got used to it. For instance, the 200km ultra run was nothing compared to the first one.
There is a gap from 2009 to 2016 in your career…
Actually I didn’t consider that (2009 marathon) as a run. It’s not like I did nothing during this time. I ran in some events just as a hobby. I joined in a Walton half marathon in 2011. I began practice after 2016 women’s marathon by walking. I started running regularly from 2017.
Was there a lack of running events then?
Yes. There was almost no running event. People didn’t know much about this. One or two events used to take place suddenly. I ran in many events in 2018-19.
Tell us about your first 100k ultra run in 2020...
I was the first female runner in 100k category. There were seven male runners. Among us, four completed the run. I finished second.
How did you prepare yourself before the 200k ultra?
I ran in only one event last year. I was not following the running competitions because my mother has been ill so I wanted to stay home. From my home, I was told not to leave running and I must attend at least one or two runs. I wanted to do a long practice. At least I needed to run 50k as practice before 200k. But I didn’t get enough time. I practiced 20-21k in my village in Thakurgaon. I only had experience of running 24 hours. I ran 110k in Chandigarh and 140k in Bengaluru. I didn’t practice enough for 200k. It was my first 200k ultra run.
What was the secret behind completing the 200k run despite a lack of preparation?
The facilities were not enough. I got one and wanted to utilize it. I think my biggest energy is mental strength. You have to be mentally strong. Once you think of quitting, you can’t do it. I ran slowly at the beginning. At the end when the cut-off time was closing in, I managed to run faster because I had to finish it.
As an organiser and runner, what’s your take on women’s marathon?
Many of the female runners I see today came from women’s marathon (Dhaka Women’s Marathon). The runners who came to women’s marathon couldn’t be seen in other marathon events. Later they joined the other marathons. There were bad, offensive words towards women after the first women’s marathon. Did you see those down the marathon videos? So many women didn’t come to run in the next edition. They couldn’t tolerate this. Plus, there were new runners as well and they deserve salute.
Did you face any hurdle while practicing or running?
Yes, a lot, over why I’m running in such dress.
What’s your goal now?
I’ll try to run longer distance along with shorter distances. I want to do the masters events more often.
