THIS IS PRIYA GOPALDAS

Published: 08/04/2025, by: Alex Courbat | Photography: Joseph Ironmonger

For Priya, what started as a way to cope with the pressures of med school turned into a quest for personal growth and resilience. As one of Sports Direct’s new Running Ambassadors, we caught up with her to chat about how she started running, pushing boundaries, and how she juggles her demanding career with running.

For most people, the idea of running 100k seems insane. And for those who take on such a challenge, you'd assume their whole life revolves around running, right? Well, not Priya Gopaldas. Not only does she tackle ultramarathons alongside her busy life, but her journey into running wasn’t exactly love at first sight.

"I think the first time I ever ran was in Year 5, during cross-country," she laughs. "It was the worst event – muddy, freezing, elbows everywhere. Not fun at all. After that, I thought, 'I'm never doing that again.'” That initial dislike didn’t disappear straight away, but a few years later, during sixth form, something changed. The stress of applying to medical school was starting to take its toll, and that’s when Priya’s dad – who’d always been into running – invited her for a light jog. Just a short 5k, nothing more.

“I thought, ‘If my dad can do it, I should be able to.’ But about 3k in, I just started walking. I was exhausted, and my dad kept encouraging me, but I was so out of breath I walked the last 2K home,” she recalls. Still, something surprising happened when she got back home. “Once I showered and had something to eat, I felt so much better. I was just… relieved. My stress was gone, and I felt so focused. It was like a mental release.” And just like that, Priya’s running journey began.

Later, at university, 10k races in London became a regular thing – and running, slowly but surely, became more than just a hobby. But then, Covid hit. As a medical student at the time, Priya found herself back home with her family. With more time on her hands and the added stress of the pandemic, running became her escape. Despite swearing off long-distance running after completing a half marathon for charity, Priya pushed herself further. Little by little, she started increasing her distances just to get out of the house. “I just kept running,” she laughs. Within a few months, she'd completed a half marathon, a full marathon, and even an ultramarathon. Running had become a way to process the uncertainty of the pandemic.

“But I think running and my career work together. My job is stressful, so I need running to balance it out. If I just woke up, went to work, and repeated that cycle without running, I’d feel completely drained – mentally and physically. Running keeps me sane. It helps keep my mood balanced.”

That’s not all there was to it, though. She also loved how it made her more resilient. “When I first started, 10K was my limit. But after I got really into running, I thought, ‘Nothing’s impossible.’ I signed up for a 100K ultra, and even though I was nervous, I felt like it was within reach. It was one of the best experiences of my life,” she reflects.

That 100k ultra consisted of two 50k loops in the countryside. And the mental challenge was as intense as the physical one. “I remember after 50k, I was like, ‘Do I stop? Do I keep going?’ My mum was there cheering me on, so I knew I couldn’t quit. My knee was painful after about 30K, but when I hit the last 10k, I felt great again. I don’t know how the body does it, but those endorphins really kicked in.” For Priya, that race became a testament to her perseverance. Running ultras was something she never imagined possible, but now, nothing could stop her anymore. It was a defining moment, one that solidified her belief that with the right mindset, she could tackle anything.

Although it might seem like it, running isn’t Priya’s career. And balancing running with being a doctor isn’t easy. Long hours, stressful days, and the weight of responsibility make it difficult to carve out time for personal activities – let alone hitting the pavement for hours every day. Does that stop Priya, though? You guessed it – no.

“It’s tough,” she admits. “But I think running and my career work together. My job is stressful, so I need running to balance it out. If I just woke up, went to work, and repeated that cycle without running, I’d feel completely drained – mentally and physically. Running keeps me sane. It helps keep my mood balanced.” So, even during the workday, Priya makes time for a quick run. “The other day, for example, I had a stressful morning, so I just went out for a 30-minute jog during lunch. It completely changed my mindset. Even a short run can turn a bad day into a good one.”

For anyone considering running, Priya has one piece of advice: “You just have to find what you enjoy about it. Maybe it’s running with friends, exploring new routes, or treating yourself to a coffee after a run. It’s not always easy – some days are tough, but that’s where the reward is. The best part is the feeling when you cross that finish line.”

The biggest hurdle, though? Getting started. “The hardest part is getting out the door,” she says. “Once you start running, even if it’s raining or cold, you start to enjoy it. You just have to push through those first few minutes.”

With a sub-three-hour target for this year’s Sydney or Chicago Marathons, she’s showing no signs of slowing down. But beyond her impressive achievements, Priya is proof that running can become much more than just putting one foot in front of the other – it can be a powerful tool for pushing your limits and becoming the best version of yourself.