Udara Chanaka Rupasinghe is a professional marathon runner from Welimada. He represents the Sri Lanka Army Athletics Pool and the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, and he trains under his coach, Mr. Sajith Jayalath, in both the hill country and the low country.
Two marathons, one result
In 2026 Udara ran Colombo’s two biggest marathons. At the LSR Colombo Marathon he finished third overall in 2:24:08, behind only two Kenyan runners. At the Colombo Marathon he ran 2:26:13 to place seventh in a field led by athletes from Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. In both races, he was the first Sri Lankan to cross the line.
Finishes like these are decided long before the start. They come from the early sessions, the long runs and the kilometres no one sees. The dedication, the practice and the strength in his feet are his alone.
The search for a shoe he could trust
Udara first called our inquiry line looking for a shoe for long marathon runs. He had good reason to be careful: replicas, sold to him as originals, had already caused him injuries and cost him races.
He knew exactly what he needed, the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite in one particular colourway. He was the first athlete to come to Luxuntique for a professional running shoe. We sourced the original pair and delivered it just before race day, and he wore it in both races.
His second pair, the Li-Ning Challenger 6, is for half marathons. We’ve stayed in close touch with him since, and we follow every race. Our part was small: finding the right pair and getting it to him on time. Every split, every surge and every finish was his.
The people behind every finish
Udara thanks his coaches, his parents, his wife and their two children. Their sacrifices and support carried him through every season of training.
The next start line
Udara’s next goal is to compete at the international level, and to earn a name for Sri Lankan sport on a global stage.
For now, he still manages most of the journey on his own. He is looking for people and organisations who can stand behind him, as supporters or sponsors, so he can give everything to his running.
If you can help, we’d be glad to introduce you. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll pass it straight to Udara.