Fancy a run with the Ice-loving polar penguins? Running a marathon in Antarctica is the ultimate test of endurance, resilience, and adventure. The extreme conditions—temperatures plunging to -20°C, icy winds, and rugged, unpredictable terrain—make this race one of the toughest in the world. It is not just about physical stamina; it’s a mental battle against nature itself.
Gauri Jayaram, the Founder & Director of Active Holiday Company, has been enabling Indian runners to take on this challenge since 2014, providing exclusive access, expert guidance, and seamless travel support. Jayaram says this year, the Indian contingent includes three couples—proving that adventure has no limits. In a conversation with ET Digital, Jayaram says the Antarctica Marathon is also part of a larger trend—India’s growing interest in sports tourism. As more runners are moving beyond traditional travel to seek experiences that push their boundaries, Jayaram says her company is uniquely placed to cater to this growing segment. Edited excerpts.
The Economic Times (ET): How did the idea of Active Holiday Company come to you and what did you want to achieve?
Gauri Jayaram (GJ): I started running in 2008 when I was still part of the corporate world. In 2011, I happened to be in London on the marathon weekend. Race registrations for the next year opened a day after the race and that was when I realised how oversubscribed the event was – the only way to get a guaranteed spot was through a tour operator. There was no tour operator for India. By then my personal vacations revolved around marathon events and, being a travel professional, I decided to combine my passion for running and travel by setting up Active Holiday Company in 2013. Originally, the intention was to become an enabler serving those who want to travel actively, and we offered cycling, walking and running holidays.
ET: This was a very niche area to start something. How did you fund your venture?
GJ: Yes, it wasn’t just a niche business but also an idea ahead of its time. I started in 2013 with my own funds of about Rs 25 lakhs, but soon enough I ran out of money. Towards the end of 2014, I had to turn to friends and family to infuse capital, but other than that we are boot-strapped even today. We grew very slowly and organically because we stayed purist, focusing only on our niche. For the first three years, I took no salary putting everything back in the business and it took us 7 long years to turn profitable. But when I set up Active Holiday Company, I had placed my bet on India turning active and Indians seeking active holidays and that has indeed happened.
ET: What were the challenges in setting up the Active Holiday Company?
GJ: We set up the company way back in 2013 when the fitness and sporting revolution had still not taken shape in India. During the early years, it took a lot to create awareness and find clients. Being bootstrapped, we also constantly competed with funded companies to attract talent. Plus, what we did was so different that it was impossi ..
