Ninety-four members of a Henrico County running group are set to participate in the Allianz Richmond Marathon, the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, and the Capital One Richmond 8K this weekend.
The Maar-Daala Fitness Freaks represent the second-largest team in the event, trailing only the local group We Off The Couch, according to Henrico Citizen.
The group’s presence highlights a localized response to broader regional health challenges. The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts 2025-2028 Community Health Improvement Plan identifies obesity as one of the area’s primary chronic diseases. For the members of this group, distance running serves as a direct countermeasure to sedentary professional lives and the physical tolls of long-term desk work.
“I feel very happy by running. It’s mental also, it’s a stress free kind of thing for me. Running is my meditation. It’s like everything will be reset and just I can focus on my work,” Rohit Ambala told Henrico Citizen.
Overcoming sedentary lifestyles through community
The Maar-Daala Fitness Freaks originated from IT professionals seeking to improve their physical health. The group’s name is a combination of founder Narayana Reddy Mara’s last name and a phrase from Telugu, a language spoken in the Andhra Pradesh region of South India. According to Henrico Citizen, the name translates to encouraging sentiments such as “never give up,” “keep pushing,” or “fight your limits.”
The group’s training regimen is structured and rigorous, involving sprinting, core workouts, and long Saturday runs that reach distances between 13 and 20 miles. This discipline has helped members manage both physical ailments and mental stress.
Kranthi Ambala, an IT professional and wife of Rohit Ambala, said that the routine helped mitigate physical issues stemming from her career. “A pain on my left side hip post pregnancy, that didn’t go away, is better because of this running,” she told Henrico Citizen. “With strength training, it helped me to come out of those pains. My legs are feeling so good.”
The demographic of the group spans from elementary school students to retirees. While many members are South Indian tech professionals, the group remains open to all fitness levels. This inclusivity has fostered a sense of social connection that extends beyond athletics.
“The group dynamic is amazing. I always have very tight friends,” said Abhinav Padala, 16, a member who also runs track at Godwin High School. “After a long day of school, with the stress around tests, quizzes, assignments, and projects, with running you can relax your mind.”
The scale of the Richmond running community
The Maar-Daala Fitness Freaks join a massive field of 21,000 runners and walkers participating in the SportsBackers events. The marathon route is scheduled to travel into Henrico County, with a 7 a.m. start time for the main race. Detailed information regarding the course and specific road closures is hosted at www.richmondmarathon.org.
The group’s growth has been driven by community outreach. This past summer, Rohit Ambala led a running boot camp that attracted up to 80 participants each weekend, eventually culminating in a 5K event that drew more than 150 people. Many of those participants were beginners from over 50 different households who used the sessions to connect with neighbors.
The impact of such groups is visible across different age groups within the community. Eight-year-old Ishya, who will run the 8K with her father and brother, credited her interest in the sport to her father’s mentorship.
“My dad says don’t increase so much at the same time. Just do your best. Just do what your body says. Just don’t think how other people are running,” said Ishya.
As the Richmond Marathon begins, the focus for many in the Maar-Daala Fitness Freaks remains on the long-term benefits of the habit rather than just the race results. For Rohit Ambala, the goal is to continue pushing toward international milestones, including aspirations to qualify for the Boston Marathon after competing in London and Sydney next year.
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