It is the 11th Ironman title for this doctor from Pune. (Source: Express Photo) It is the 11th Ironman title for this doctor from Pune. (Source: Express Photo)

It was a tough race with time, made harder by a snag in both the man and his machine — Kaustubh Radkar threw up after rough seas forced too much water into his stomach, and his bike chain came apart along with the derailleur — but Radkar did not call it quits. His grit and determination paid off. He won the race and when he crossed the finish line in South Africa on Sunday, he had etched his name in gold in the endurance event that only the doughty can take part in. Radkar became first Indian to complete the gruelling “Ironman race” in the most continents.

The Ironman Triathlon organised by the World Triathlon Corporation is a test of stamina, skill and most of all endurance. A 3.86-km swim, 180.25-km bicycle ride and a 42.2-km marathon in that order-to be completed within 17 hours-makes it one of the toughest one-day sporting events in the world.

It is the 11th Ironman title for this doctor from Pune. The previous five Ironman tests he won were in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and South America. Thirty-two-year-old Radkar, a doctor in sports medicine, completed the feat on March 29 clocking 13 hours 32 minutes and 14 seconds.

When contacted, an elated Kaustubh said, “It was windy at Port Elizabeth. Due to the wind, the waves hit all swimmers in the face and pushed them to a side.”

Kaustubh was the first in his age group to complete the 3.86-km swim and clocked 51 minutes and 12 seconds. He was the second, across all age groups, to complete the swim.

He admits he was unable to devote time for quality training on the bicycle in the past few months and it showed on race day. He hopes to better his timing for the next Ironman race on July 19 in Zurich. “I am also coaching 6 people (four from Pune and one each from Mumbai and Karad) who will all be with me in Zurich for their first Ironman,” he adds.

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