Award of Mac Gregor Memorial Medal

Award of Mac Gregor Memorial Medal

Sanjay Kumar, EA (P) 3 of INS Valsura has won the prestigious Major General Sir Charles MacGregor Memorial Medal awarded by “The United Service Institution of India, New Delhi”. Instituted in 1888 to honour the memory of USI founder Maj Gen Charles MacGregor, this medal is awarded to Armed Forces personnel for their valuable military reconnaissance/ running/ trekking across the Himalayas. An avid runner and physical fitness enthusiast, Sanjay Kumar has done the Indian Navy proud by winning laurels in marathon running. Considered to be one of the toughest races in the world, Sanjay Kumar won the fourth edition of Hell Race conducted in the Himalayas from 15 to 23 June 2019, wherein he set a new course record with a timing of 28 Hrs 45 min 12 sec. The Hell race involves five back to back marathons of 210 kms to be covered at an average altitude of 4200 meters under a cutoff time of 40 hours. In addition to the Hell race, Sanjay Kumar also secured first position amongst the Naval participants in Solang Sky Ultra marathon conducted in Solan valley. The sailor also secured the second position amongst the Naval participants in LA ULTRA which is also one of the grueling races with harsh temperatures and leaner oxygen levels. Crossing the Khardungla Pass at 17980 ft, he completed the 111 kms category run in 17 Hrs 04 min. With a timing of 40 Hrs 04 min, Sanjay Kumar also holds a national record for completing the 600 kms Mumbai to Goa chase along with 8 runners in relay format.