Harish Kajla, a Deputy Commandant in the Border Security Force, is all set to script history in the Comrades Marathon on June 8. Kajla will be the first BSF officer and National Security Guard (NSG) commando to participate in this enduring marathon.
Kajla gave credit to the BSF for his achievements as a marathon runner. “I dedicate this endeavor to my forces, whose unwavering support and exemplary standards have made this possible. This run is for every soldier who believes in pushing boundaries and achieving the extraordinary,” the BSF officer told Defence Stories.
Kajla also highlighted how being part of the NSG shaped his career as a marathon runner. “My current tenure with the NSG has further honed my endurance and mental strength. The NSG’s uncompromising standards of fitness and operational readiness have pushed me beyond my limits, teaching me the importance of focus, adaptability, and never giving up, no matter how tough the circumstances,” he said.
“Every early morning run, every grueling workout, and every moment of self-doubt overcome is a reflection of the training and motivation I have received from my forces. The encouragement from my seniors, the support from my colleagues, and the inspiration drawn from the sacrifices of my fellow soldiers have been my constant companions on this journey,” Kajla added.
“As I take on the Comrades Ultramarathon, I do so not just as an individual, but as a proud representative of the BSF and NSG,” he noted.
Shedding some light on his journey in the security forces, the BSF Deputy Commandant told Defence Stories, “My journey in uniform has been one of discipline, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The BSF, with its ethos of ‘Duty Unto Death,’ has instilled in me the values of perseverance and selfless service. The rigorous training, the camaraderie, and the challenges faced on the frontlines have shaped my mental and physical fortitude — qualities that are indispensable for an ultramarathoner.”
Last year in August, Kajla earned global recognition by becoming the first officer from the Central Armed Police Forces to participate in the Ironman Challenge. The CAPF includes the BSF, the CRPF, the CISF, the SSB, and the ITBP.
Who Is Harish Kajla?
He hails from Haryana’s Jhajjar district. He started taking part in marathons after joining the BSF. Kajla did Half Ironman, 70.3 km in Goa in 2022. He also finished the ‘Hell Race’ in Jaisalmer in 2022 and 2023.
Achievements of Harish Kajla:
- Hell Race – 2022 – The Border – 100 km from Jaisalmer to Longewala on Vijay Diwas. The race was organised to pay homage to Indian soldiers who fought the 1971 war.
- 2022 – Ironman individual 70.3 Goa
- 2022 – Gurugram Half Marathon – 1st position
- 2022 – Tuffman – Mashobra (Shimla) 50 km ultra – fourth position
- Hell Race 2023 – The Border – 100 km. It started from Jaisalmer and concluded in Ramgarh.
- 2024 – Ultramarathon – Kajla finished the race in a time of 12:42:25.
The Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of approximately 88 kilometres. It is organised every year in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon race.
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