Starting with a garments business, Rahul Airan ventured into running and gradually started managing and organizing running events, contributing to the rise of ‘North Kolkata Runners’. His sportswear business aligns with his passion, and his work for the ‘JITO Ahimsa Run’ and being featured in the ‘Believe’ series of Star Sports showcase his impact in the running community.

Born and raised in the vibrant city of Kolkata, Rahul Airan is a businessman and a running enthusiast. He is a Marathon Event Organiser and Owner of Endurance Wear in Kolkata. He embarked on a journey in 2014 when he established his own garments business. Rahul’s life took a pivotal turn on January 9, 2017, when he laced up his running shoes and began a new chapter in his life.

Reflecting on the early challenges he faced in his business, Airan says, like any entrepreneur, his journey in the garment industry had its ups and downs, but he remained resilient. His decision to take up running in 2017 marked a significant turning point, not just in his personal life but also in how he approached his business.

Rahul Airan firmly believes that running altered his outlook on life. Within just 21 days of starting his running journey, he successfully completed a 10 km run, an achievement that fueled his passion for the sport. Six months later, he took the plunge and completed his first full marathon—a remarkable feat for someone relatively new to running.

However, Rahul’s achievements did not stop at personal milestones. His enthusiasm for running led him to become deeply involved with 'North Kolkata Runners', a running club based in his city. Through his efforts, the club gained widespread recognition and grew in stature. Today, 'North Kolkata Runners' is not only a prominent name in Kolkata and the eastern region of India but is also regarded as one of the leading running groups in the country. The club’s success is a testament to the passion and dedication of its members, led by individuals like Rahul, who champion the cause of fitness and community engagement.

While running became an integral part of Rahul Airan’s life, he continued with the garment business he founded in 2014. He acknowledges that his business remains his primary source of livelihood, but emphasizes the importance of having a passion in life. Rahul draws inspiration from the movie '3 Idiots', where Ranchod Das Chanchad highlights the significance of following one’s passion. This message resonated deeply with Rahul. He stresses that one does not need to abandon their profession to pursue their passion—instead, it is possible to strike a balance and nurture both.

Rahul Airan’s initial inspiration to take up running came from observing his brother, who lived in Mumbai and was an avid runner, as well as a cousin who had taken up the sport. Seeing their dedication sparked a desire in him to explore running further. What began as a personal interest soon expanded into event organization, as Rahul ventured into the world of Running Events Management.

In 2023, Rahul Airan managed a special event called 'Run for Tribals,' held in Purulia, a district in West Bengal known for its vibrant tribal culture. The event sought to raise awareness and support for tribal communities, and the flag hoisting ceremony was led by the popular Rannvijay Singha, who attended the event as the chief guest. The success of this event was a point of pride for Rahul, as it combined his passion for running with a meaningful cause.

Rahul Airan’s business, which began under the name 'Endurance Wear' in 2014, initially focused on kids garments. However, as his interest in running and event management grew, so did his inclination towards sportswear. By 2019-2020, Rahul had transitioned his business to focus primarily on sportswear, catering to the growing demand for high-quality apparel in the running and fitness communities. Today, 'Endurance Wear' specializes in producing sportswear, and Rahul’s products—especially his custom T-shirts—are featured in various running events across the country.

Rahul’s event management journey officially began in 2018 when he organized a run for the prestigious JW Marriott Hotel. His involvement in event management expanded in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily halted his work, as restrictions prevented public gatherings such as marathons and sporting events. However, by 2022, as the world began to recover from the pandemic, Rahul resumed his event management activities with renewed vigor.

Today, Rahul Airan organizes a wide range of cycling and running events, hosting five to six events annually. As the Range Director for Kolkata JITO chapter, he has been associated with the JITO Ahimsa Run, a nationwide initiative by the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) to spread the message of Ahimsa. In 2023, the event set a world record for the highest number of pledges for a peace campaign. His responsibility is to ensure smooth operation of the event.

In addition to working with established organizations like 'JITO', Airan also organizes his own running events. His primary goal is to make running accessible to as many people as possible. Rahul Airan is particularly proud of an event he organized where participants paid only ₹349 to enter—an amount that included a T-shirt, a medal, and food packets. This low-cost entry fee was in stark contrast with the typical charges of ₹800 to ₹1,000 for similar events. His goal is to present high-quality running events at a price point that anyone can afford.

Rahul Airan’s journey to success was not without its challenges. He recalls that as a student, he was academically below average. In class 9, he suffered a health crisis that left him in a coma for seven days. This experience significantly affected his academic performance, and as a result, he did not score well in his class 10 exams. Despite these setbacks, Rahul persevered. In class 11, he was able to enroll late as a commerce student, where he discovered a newfound interest in subjects like accounts and economics. He performed well academically in high school, although he narrowly missed out on gaining admission to St. Xavier's College by just 3-4 marks.

Following the path of many of his peers, Rahul enrolled in Chartered Accountancy (CA). He excelled in the first level, securing an All India Rank of 19. In the second level, he scored an impressive 93 marks in taxation. However, despite clearing the first group of the CA finals, Rahul was unable to pass the second group even after seven attempts. Ultimately, he decided to pause his studies and focus on building his business, recognizing that his failure to clear the CA exams did not mark the end of his journey.

When asked about his role models, Rahul Airan names Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, and Narendra Modi. He admires Sourav Ganguly for his efforts in building and restructuring Team India, drawing a parallel to Narendra Modi’s efforts in shaping the future of India. Rahul also appreciates Virat Kohli’s relentless work ethic and determination, which inspires him to keep pushing forward in his own pursuits. He believes that all three of his role models share a common trait: they never give up, even in the face of failure. Rahul relates to their willingness to keep trying, regardless of the obstacles they encounter.

One of Airan’s favorite motivational quotes is: “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but never stop.” He frequently shares this quote with the runners he trains, encouraging them to persevere through life’s challenges and never give up.

In 2018, Rahul Airan achieved one of his most significant milestones when he helped elevate 'North Kolkata Runners' to a new level. His efforts were recognized by 'Procam International', a well-known event management company that organizes the prestigious 'Tata Steel Kolkata 25K'. Rahul was also featured in the ‘Believe’ series by STAR Sports. People featured in the ‘Believe’ series are extraordinary sportspersons who have made a significant impact on the sports community. His role in motivating Kolkata’s non-running community to embrace running earned him this recognition. Rahul is especially proud of having had the opportunity to interact with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on multiple occasions, including during events like the 'IDBI Marathon'.

Today, North Kolkata Runners boasts 350 active members, and Rahul takes great pride in the group’s growth. He also finds peace in the spiritual aspect of the group’s activities. In addition to running, the club participates in spiritual practices such as Rudrabhishek, Sundarkand, Kirtan etc. which add a deeper dimension to their running experiences.

Rahul’s message to aspiring runners is simple: anyone can run at any time. He emphasizes that running is not a complicated sport—anyone can start by putting on a pair of shoes and beginning with a 3-4 km run, gradually increasing the distance over time. He also encourages people to join running clubs in their city, where they can find motivation and camaraderie. In Kolkata, runners can join North Kolkata Runners, while other cities have their own running clubs, such as 'Pink City Runners' in Jaipur, ‘Delhi Runners Group’ in Delhi and 'Bombay Runners' in Mumbai. These communities offer valuable support and opportunities to share insights and experiences.

Rahul Airan believes that running has a profound impact on mental health. He shares that some of his friends who suffered from depression found relief through running. For Rahul, running is more than just a physical activity—it is a form of meditation.

He emphasizes the importance of never giving up on one's dreams and encourages everyone to keep pushing forward. Additionally, he advises the youth to prioritize their studies initially while also seeking to gain practical experience. Staying focused and committed to their goals is essential for achieving success in life.

Finally, Rahul mentions that their training sessions occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, incorporating a variety of activities such as yoga, interval training, tempo runs, and long-distance runs. He highlights the presence of numerous running clubs across India that regularly organize events, along with access to skilled coaches in every city, providing runners with opportunities to enhance their skills and advance in their running journey.