Like most children in Bangladesh, Partho Saha's life and breath were cricket when he was a young boy. He would play for hours with his friends and wished to one day play for his country. His lifelong dream of becoming a professional cricketer was, however, gradually lost as family support was limited, opportunities were few and far between.
It was 2014 when the turning point occurred. During his Diploma studies, he got a job in a Government project. The project provided financial assistance for the purchase of bicycles for the workers. On 14 February, 2014, he purchased his first bicycle for Tk 34,000 using the fund and his savings. Narrating the day after, he says that it was a day that truly marked the start of his endurance sport career.
Shortly after, he started to join a cycling club called Holiday Riders. Riding around the city of Dhaka on the weekend soon became a passion. This was his first big ride, which took him almost 180 kilometers to Paturia. The challenge was a thrill for him. As he continued to ride, he desired to go even harder.
But then, another surprising moment in 2018 changed all that. As he was scrolling through social media, he spotted some photos of a running event. Participants were required to wear identical shirts and medals around their necks. He was curious and asked friends how these events worked. Around the same time, he purchased a pair of running shoes in New Market. There was no running involved in the purchase. These shoes were to play another part soon.
Picture: Partho Saha.
He lived near the National Botanical Garden and started long walks. One day, he recorded a 14-kilometer walk using Strava. Then, he saw something that stuck with him. The man was in his seventies and could walk with ease. "If he can do this," he thought, "why can't I?" At times, inspiration is found in the simplest of visuals.
Soon after, he registered for his first race–the Run for Life Suicide Prevention Awareness Run organised by Great Bangladesh. There was virtually no preparation. He was in basic attire, bringing headphones and having little knowledge of race etiquette. Yet surprisingly, he ran all 5 kilometers without stopping.
His next event was the Dhaka International Run. Registered for the 10-kilometer category, he found himself covering much more distance due to route confusion and poor event management. Along the way, he suffered his first serious cramp. The pain was intense. For several days afterward, even walking became difficult. Most people might have quit right there. He chose the opposite path.
Picture: Partho Saha.
Partho decided to take part and completed the Bangla Channel Swim in 2021. That year, conditions were exceptionally harsh. The sea was rough, the weather unpredictable. “It felt like a 50–50 risk with our lives,” he said. Many experienced athletes considered the conditions among the toughest they had ever faced.
He once again pushed himself toward a new challenge: the Ladakh Marathon 2022, held at an altitude of 13,500 feet above sea level. This race profoundly changed his mindset. Ladakh is not only known for its extreme altitude but also for oxygen levels below 40% and highly unpredictable, complex weather conditions.
Despite these challenges, Partho delivered a strong performance and secured 36th position overall. However, this race also left a lasting emotional impact. He had forgotten to bring the Bangladesh national flag. At the finish line, most athletes proudly crossed with their country flags, but Partho had none. As a result, many people assumed he was Indian. In that moment, he felt a deep regret for not representing his nation visibly.
He wished he could tell everyone that he was a Bangladeshi athlete. That feeling stayed with him, and he was upset with himself for not carrying his national flag during such an important international race. Next year, He participated in the Khardung La Challenge 2023 in Ladakh, a grueling ultra race at an altitude of over 17,000 feet. Covering 72 kilometers, it is considered one of the highest ultra races in the world, and next year also complete the Silk Route Ultra 2024, a demanding 122-kilometer race. He completed the race in 21 hours and 3 minutes, becoming the first Bangladeshi runner to finish the event. It was a landmark achievement, both personally and nationally. This time in both journeys, he proudly carried the Bangladesh national flag, a moment of redemption after his earlier regret.
Picture: Partho Saha.
In 2025, he set another challenge for himself at the Fishtail 100, where he secured 5th place overall and 4th among male participants. He was also one of the few who completed the race, despite having no proper training ground for Himalayan-style terrain.
In the same year, 2025, he became the first finisher from Bangladesh in a 100-miler (160 km) category at the UTMB World Series Asia Major race. Despite financial barriers and limited access to proper training facilities for some of the toughest trail races, he continued to move forward, constantly chasing challenges that made him feel alive.
