Award of Mac Gregor Memorial Medal

Sanjay Kumar, EA (P) 3 of INS Valsura has won the prestigious Maj Gen Sir Charles Mac Gregor 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 Mac Gregor, this medal is awarded to Armed Forces personnel for their valuable military reconnaissance. Sanjay Kumar, an avid runner and physical fitness enthusiast has done the Indian Navy (IN) proud by winning lot of 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 Jun 19, wherein he set a new course record with a timing of 28Hrs 45min 12 sec. The Hell race involves five back to back marathons of 210 km 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 in Sep 19. 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 17980ft, he completed the 111km category run in 17Hrs 04 min. With a timing of 40Hrs 04 min, Sanjay Kumar also holds a national record for completing the 600km Mumbai to Goa chase along with 8 runners in relay format.