The 2025 Namosi challenge, organised by the Suva Marathon Club (SMC), continues to attract passionate runners including SMC ambassador Amit Ahalawat, who has become one of the event’s strongest advocates.
Ahalawat, originally from India, has been living in Fiji for the past nine years and works as the regional head of IT at Digicel Pacific.
His running journey began in 2020, inspired by the title of SMC’s first Namosi event “Fiji’s Toughest Run”.
“I was also encouraged by friends like Marita Manley, Noeline Mallam and Raj Prasad, who were regular runners around the Suva seawall,” he said.
“That’s when I took up the challenge and started running.”
Since then, he’s been part of a supportive running community and has made running a core part of his lifestyle.
“As an IT professional, I spend long hours behind a screen. Running helps relieve both physical and mental stress. It brings clarity, discipline, it feels like meditation.”
The Namosi Challenge holds a special place in his heart. In 2020, despite a bout of food poisoning the day before the race, he pushed through and completed his first full marathon on the Namosi trails.
“It was a moment of grit, gratitude and sheer willpower,” he said.
He describes the course as rugged and beautiful gravel roads, steep climbs and winding rivers and says proper preparation, including hill runs and cross-training at Afterburn Fitness Fiji, is key.
What sets the event apart, he says, is not just the terrain but the warmth of the local communities and the causes it supports from village footbridges to school renovations and WOWS Kids Fiji.
In 2024, his 16-year-old son completed his first half marathon at the event.
“Watching him finish was a proud moment I’ll always cherish.”
With a 700-day running streak already achieved, Ahalawat is now aiming for 1000 days and eventually, an Ironman Triathlon.
He encourages others to take the first step, no matter their fitness level.
“Don’t worry about the ‘toughest trail’ tag. The Namosi challenge may test your limits, but it will lift your spirit.”
Meanwhile, the event schedule for June 7 will feature a half marathon (21 kilometres) an individual marathon (10km), and a team marathon, where groups of four will each run 10km to complete a full marathon.
