Ajith Markose, an esteemed athletics coach at the Reliance Foundation National Endurance Project, highlights the importance of a measured approach when it comes to developing young athletes, particularly those with the potential to excel at the international level. Markose, who works with middle- and long-distance runners, believes that pushing athletes too hard during their formative years can lead to detrimental effects, both physically and mentally. He emphasizes that it is crucial for athletes to mature at their own pace, with proper guidance and a focus on gradual development rather than immediate performance pressures.
The Reliance Foundation National Endurance Project, which provides a comprehensive platform for young athletes to thrive, offers these budding stars international exposure, top-tier facilities, and access to expert coaches, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. Markose mentors a talented group of athletes, including 19-year-old Laxmipriya Kisan and 20-year-old Antima Pal, who have shown great promise in their respective disciplines. Laxmipriya, a middle-distance runner, recently clinched a gold medal in the U20 women’s 800m at the National Junior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, clocking an impressive time of 2:10.17. Antima, a long-distance athlete, won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian U20 Championships and holds a personal best of 16:47.49 in the 5000m.
Markose underscores the value of setting realistic and achievable targets for young athletes to ensure their consistent progress. For both Laxmipriya and Antima, the coach has outlined goals for the 2025 season that take into account their growth potential and physical maturity. For Laxmipriya, the aim is to improve her 800m time to 2:06, while Antima is targeting a performance of 16:10 in the 5000m. However, Markose stresses that training young athletes is a very different process than working with seasoned professionals. At the junior level, the focus is primarily on exposure and building confidence, and exceptional results should not be expected immediately.
The project provides athletes with a well-rounded training environment, which includes access to world-class nutrition and physiotherapy services. Markose mentions that the athletes follow a balanced diet that costs more than Rs. 1,000 per day, ensuring that they receive the necessary fuel to support their intensive training regimes. In addition, physiotherapists, dietitians, and masseurs are available to provide ongoing support to ensure the athletes remain in peak condition. The goal is to create an environment where the athletes can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally, with the understanding that consistent progress is key to long-term success.
The training schedule is also carefully planned to ensure the athletes' growth. From November to February, they train in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, at an elevation of 1,700 meters, where they focus on long runs on hard surfaces—since soft surfaces are not available in this region. After this phase, they move to Bengaluru for the next stage of training. This variation in training locations is designed to challenge the athletes and enhance their endurance, giving them the tools needed to perform at the highest levels.
Markose believes that long-distance athletes typically peak at around the age of 26-27, while middle-distance runners tend to reach their full potential a bit earlier, between 24-25 years old. However, he points out that these are general trends, and there are always exceptions. Both Laxmipriya and Antima have already shown significant growth in their performances, with Laxmipriya improving from a timing of 2:32 in the 800m when she first joined the project to now consistently clocking times below 2:10. Antima, who has been part of the project for the past three years, is also progressing well, despite a minor injury that caused her to miss international meets in 2024.
Markose is pleased with the progress of both athletes and is optimistic about their future prospects. He sees great potential in both of them and has set ambitious yet realistic targets for the 2025 season. While immediate, extraordinary results are not expected, the focus remains on steady and sustainable growth, which will eventually pave the way for international success. Through his guidance, Laxmipriya and Antima are not only receiving world-class training but also learning the invaluable lessons of patience and resilience, key attributes that will serve them well in their athletic careers.
