IRONMAN 70.3 India welcomes athletes from 30 countries in October

Triathletes from 30 different countries are gearing up for the highly anticipated IRONMAN 70.3 India, which is set to take place in the scenic state of Goa next month. This prestigious event is not only the country’s largest triathlon but also a truly international one, attracting athletes and endurance sports enthusiasts from around the world.

IRONMAN 70.3 India is renowned globally as the ultimate test of an athlete’s endurance, determination, and physical and mental strength. It encompasses three demanding disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running.

The grueling race kicks off with a challenging 1.9 km swim along Miramar beach in Goa, followed by a demanding 90 km bicycle ride, and concludes with a strenuous 21.1 km run. The cycling and running segments start from the Miramar circle in Panaji, the state capital.

To complete this formidable race and earn the iconic medal, participants must adhere to specific time limits. Each segment—swimming, biking, and running—has its individual time cutoffs, making it a true test of an athlete’s abilities.

Deepak Raj, the CEO of Yoska and franchise owner of the IRONMAN brand in India, expressed excitement about the diverse international participation, saying, “The response has been thrilling with participants registering from across India as well as 30 countries and counting. We have entries from the UK, US, and the Russian Federation, among other far-flung countries like Bolivia, South Africa, Argentina, Estonia, and New Zealand. This demonstrates that India has now become a prominent destination for the global triathlon community.”

More than just a competition, the triathlon embodies the spirit of camaraderie and personal growth, as highlighted by Raj. He also noted that over 60% of the finishers in the previous edition were first-time participants, illustrating the growing interest in triathlons in India.

Apart from numerous entries from India, athletes from all six continents—North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia—have registered to participate in the Goa event. Since its inception, athletes from 50 countries have taken part in the IRONMAN 70.3 India event in Goa.

The states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana lead the list of states with the highest number of participants.

In 2019, Bishworjit Saikhom from India secured victory in the men’s category with a time of 4:42:44, while Nihal Baig claimed the title in 2022 with a time of 4:29:45. Bishworjit is set to compete in the upcoming event on October 8th. Catjin Schierbeek, hailing from Switzerland, emerged as the women’s champion in 2022.

Additionally, 30 slots are reserved for winners in their respective categories, granting them the opportunity to compete in the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship scheduled to be held in New Zealand.

The October 8th event marks the third occasion when IRONMAN 70.3 India is hosted in the coastal state of Goa.

To ensure the smooth running of India’s most significant endurance race, over 700 volunteers will provide their support. The scale of logistics on the race day is impressive, with over 21 tons of ice and 23,000 liters of drinking water prepared to refresh athletes, volunteers, and spectators.