Coach Pani, a retired Indian Air Force veteran, started running seriously during his military training in 1977, initially participating in middle distance events before gradually transitioning into long distance running, where he achieved a sub-3-hour marathon before retiring in 1998.

After taking a 10-year hiatus from running, he made a triumphant return in 2008, passionately getting involved with running groups such as the Bangalore Nike + Run Club and Runners For Life.

Presently, Coach Pani is the chief coach and key driving force behind the PaceMakers, and during his seven-year tenure as a mentor, his charges have made significant progress in Indian amateur running, with many achieving injury-free running and personal bests, and the best of them regularly featuring on the podiums of amateur races across the country, as well as attaining the highly coveted 'BQ' status. In addition, Coach Pani played an important role as the Head Coach of the Nike Run Club in Bangalore.