Articles
New essays on Substack. Earlier writing below.
On Substack
New essays on coaching, leadership, endurance, and the inner life. Subscribe to receive them directly in your inbox.
How Does One Become Wise?
A reflection on what makes one wise — continuing the exploration of the Yaksha Prashna.
Read on Substack →किं नाम सनातन-धर्मः?
An essay in Sanskrit — exploring the meaning of Sanātana Dharma through its own texts.
Read on Substack →Defining “Sanātana Dharma”
A reflection on what Sanātana Dharma stands for — rooted in the texts and teachings of the tradition itself.
Read on Substack →How does one find greatness?
A reflection on what leads to greatness — drawing from the Yaksha Prashna of the Mahabharata and the Thirukkural.
Read on Substack →Is Knowledge a Pre-requisite for Confidence?
A reflection on confidence as a state of being rather than a state of knowing — drawing from the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Read on Substack →What is the most important skill for a leader?
A reflection on deep listening, rooted in guidance from the Yaksha Prashna and the Thirukkural — and why millennia-old wisdom keeps showing up in modern leadership research.
Read on Substack →In My Own Words
Personal essays on running, endurance, and the journey within.
Running a Marathon in a Sari — Why a Sari?
The story begins with a simple question: why would anyone run 42 km in a sari? The answer is about identity, handloom, and a world record that hadn't yet been claimed.
Read Article →Running a Marathon in a Sari — Running Sandals
The practical questions: what do you wear on your feet when running a marathon in a traditional nine-yard sari? On gear, adaptation, and problem-solving on the run.
Read Article →Running a Marathon in a Sari — The Sari
Choosing the right sari for 42 kilometers. On fabric, drape, the Madisar style, and what nine yards of handloom means when you're running for your life.
Read Article →Running a Marathon in a Sari — Can I Do It?
The self-doubt, the training, and the quiet inner conversation that happens before you attempt something no one has done before.
Read Article →Running a Marathon in a Sari — Race Day
The day itself. 42 kilometers. A nine-yard sari. A Guinness World Record. What it felt like to cross that finish line in 4 hours, 57 minutes and 44 seconds.
Read Article →A Year of 5K to Full Marathon, 25K to 200 BRM
A reflection on a year of pushing distance — from 5K runs to a full marathon, and from 25K rides to a 200 km Brevet Randonneur. On endurance, patience, and what the body can learn.
Read Article →A Duathlon Experience
A race report from the Bike Run Biryani Duathlon — cycling, running, transitions, and finishing first among women with a personal best.
Read Article →In the Media
Coverage from around the world on running, handloom, and breaking new ground.
Marathon runner ditches shorts and t-shirt to take on 26-mile race in a sari
The official Guinness World Records feature on Jayanthi's achievement — fastest marathon run in a sari, completed in 4:57:44 at the Hyderabad Marathon, 2017.
Read Feature →Guinness World Record for running a marathon in a sari
Microsoft's Asia feature on how a Microsoftie set a world record — and the story behind the nine-yard handloom sari she chose to do it in.
Read Feature →The whole nine yards: For the love of handlooms, this Microsoftie traded tracksuit for a sari
A deeper look at Project Reweave and what motivated Jayanthi to use a world record to promote India's handloom tradition.
Read Feature →Jayanthi aims to create a world record by being first saree-clad marathoner
The Better India's profile ahead of the race — the training, the preparation, and the mission to put handloom on the world stage.
Read Feature →42 km in 9 yards: Meet the woman who ran a marathon in a saree to promote handloom
A post-race profile covering the achievement, the motivation, and what comes next for India's saree-clad marathoner.
Read Feature →Alumni Profile: Jayanthi Sampathkumar
The Ohio State University Office of International Affairs profiles Jayanthi — from her Master's in Columbus to Google, coaching, and beyond.
Read Profile →The Whole Nine Yards
A magazine feature on the woman behind the world record — the preparation, the meaning, and what nine yards of handloom represents.
Read Feature →Sari-clad Marathoner Eyes Comeback
Telangana Today catches up with Jayanthi on what comes next — returning to the marathon circuit and continuing to champion handloom.
Read Feature →The Sari Clad Marathon Runner Reveals Fitness Secrets
An interview on training, endurance, and staying fit — the discipline behind running 42 km in a nine-yard sari.
Read Interview →Jayanthi Sampath Kumar — The Saree Clad Marathon Runner
A video profile by Telangana Today on the marathon, the mission, and the woman behind the record.
Watch Video →On Stage
Talks and panels on leadership, women in tech, and carving your own path.
Off the Trodden Path — CII IWN Leadership Conclave: Unstoppable
A panel talk at the Confederation of Indian Industry's Indian Women's Network Leadership Conclave, alongside senior leaders from across industries. On forging your own path — in career, identity, and leadership.
Watch Talk →The Fastest Way to Stop Is Doing Too Much Too Soon — Episode #57
A 44-minute podcast conversation covering the Guinness World Record marathon, running in sandals, cycling as a family, and how endurance sport shapes performance at work. One of the most in-depth interviews on the journey.
Watch Episode →Interested in working with Jayanthi? Get in Touch → · Carnatic Music →