How Pooja Krishnamoorthy made history as the first Indian woman to complete the Brazil 135 Ultra

On January 10, Pooja Krishnamoorthy made history by completing the Brazil 135 Ultra, becoming the first Indian woman to qualify, attempt, and finish the gruelling 135-mile (217 km) race in its 21-year history. 

Krishnamoorthy completed the race in 48 hours, well within the cut-off time of 60 hours, standing tenth overall amongst women in all distances and finishing eighth in her category, a feat that placed her among world-famous runners, many of whom had dropped out. 

While the official distance in 2026 is 150 miles, participants can choose to stop at designated “Decision Points” and receive recognition for shorter distances. Krishnamoorthy opted for the 135-mile ultra-run.

Starting from Aguas Da Prata in São Paulo, Brazil, the race follows the Caminho da Fé pilgrimage route through the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, featuring approximately 20,000 feet of elevation across dirt roads, forests, and steep mountain trails, making it one of the most gruelling ultra-runs in the world.

“While the uphills are killing, the downhills are equally so. For me, it’s a very big achievement.”

Krishnamoorthy tells HerStory.

The path to Brazil was not a planned one. A political science graduate from St Xavier’s College in Mumbai, she later studied film-making and works in advertising. Her love affair with the mountains began in childhood, when her mother would send her and her sister, Priya, on treks in the Himalayas. They soon began volunteering on these treks, working in exchange for the opportunity to be in the mountains.

"That's how I think my endurance building started unknowingly—and along with leadership qualities,” she says.

From half-marathons to history

But running entered her life, almost accidentally.

In 2011, accompanying her sister to a half-marathon in Corbett, she registered on a whim for a five-kilometre race. Her mother did too. "That's how my first running journey started—those five kilometres,” she recalls.

For the next eight years, she stuck to 10-kilometre races. It gave her an escape from Mumbai's city grind, a weekend in nature, a breath of fresh air in places like Auroville and Srirangapatnam.

“I wasn't going there for running. I would practice in Mumbai, and explore runs outside just to get out of the city,” she admits.

In 2018, Krishnamoorthy decided to run a half-marathon (21km). She hired a coach, joined a running community, and started taking her training more seriously. Then the pandemic hit, forcing a two-year break.

When she returned to running in November 2022, she was struggling to rebuild her fitness. But fate had other plans.

Her new coach, Adil Mirza, had qualified for Badwater, an extreme 135-mile ultramarathon in California, running from Badwater Basin through Death Valley’s intense heat to Whitney Portal at 8,374 feet, testing runners in July’s scorching temperatures. 

Krishnamoorthy, who had a US visa, agreed to crew for him. 

"I was barely a half-marathoner who was trying to come back after COVID. I ended up pacing my coach for 80 kilometres,” she says.

When it was over, her coach looked at her and said something that would change her life: “Why are you doing half-marathons? You are an ultra runner,” he said.

Anything is possible

It was at Badwater that Pooja met Sonia Ahuja, an American-Indian runner who had won Brazil 135 and podiumed at Badwater. "She was a silent source of inspiration for me," Krishnamoorthy says. Right there, a mission was born: she would do Brazil. And then Badwater.

There was just one problem: she had never even run a full marathon.

"A lot of people probably thought it was a stupid decision. But I knew I had a mountaineering background. I already have that muscle,” she says.

After pacing at Badwater, Krishnamoorthy completed her first full marathon in Ladakh in September 2023, was a podium finisher in her first 100 km in the Pune Ultra in December 2023, and increased her distance slowly to prepare for Brazil.

After completing a 100-mile practice run as part of Border on Border in Rajasthan in December 2025, Krishnamoorthy was all set for Brazil 135.

Before the event, she trained for two hours every morning and added another hour and a half in the evenings. She incorporated night runs to prepare for the challenge ahead. Her coach and running buddies organised 12-hour and 16-hour training runs.

At no point during the race did Krishnamoorthy even consider quitting.

“While every stretch of the course was challenging, from the moment I started, my body was completely in sync with me, supporting me throughout. The energy and vibe between my crew and me were incredible,” she says.

On the second night of the 48-hour run, she admits that the downhills were killing, but she kept telling herself,  “Imagine the next morning when you finish the run, how you're going to feel. This is worth it.” 

With Brazil 135 now behind her, the ultra-runner will apply for the Badwater 135, with the results expected to be announced next month.

While running in Brazil, she also carried the mission of Purnakuti, an NGO she is associated with that works in women’s empowerment and child development.

“While preparing for it, I realised that my run could also become a way to create awareness and support the conversations they are trying to build around dignity, opportunity, and resilience. If there’s anything I can help people with through this endurance, I would be more than happy,” she says.

Putting ourselves first is important

For Krishnamoorthy, the greatest victory wasn't just conquering Brazil's mountains, but overcoming an inner battle that many women struggle with throughout their lives.

"It also taught me to love myself, which is very important. Earlier, I just felt like I was doing things for others. But this is actually something where I do it because I love it."

This shift, she believes, is crucial for all women.

"As women, we end up doing a lot for others. We always place our needs last. We prioritise others—our family, work, and everything else. This is one place where women put themselves first. 'Don't bother me. Don't disturb me," she explains.

She's seen it in older women runners, who are 65 or 70 years old, for whom running brings a sense of freedom and achievement. 

When asked what running has taught her about life, its challenges, and setbacks, Krishnamoorthy pauses before answering. She encapsulates her journey so far into three lessons.

“It has taught me that anything is possible. I lived it through running. It brought in emotional discipline and running taught me to love myself,” she says.

She is happy that running has become a “good fad”.

“Even if you run 100 metres, or for 10 or 14 minutes, put it out there and feel good about yourself,” Krishnamoorthy says.

(The story has been updated to reflect a change in rankings)