Got mettle? Don’t miss the Ironman triathlon

Ironman, is one of the world's largest triathlons, and takes place annually. On February 18, 1978, Judy and John Collins saw their dream come true with the first-ever Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon. Over time, the race grew and moved to new locations, luring large corporate sponsors, paying substantial prize money to the winners. Gordon Haller was the first champion, with a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes, 58 seconds.

EVENT SPECS

Goa, known for its scenic landscape and coastline, created history in 2019 by presenting IRONMAN 70.3 in India for the first time.

In this event, athletes participate across three courses – Swimming Cycling and Running. Each section gives an individual the best chance to play to their strengths, and the organizers endeavour to give athletes the best experience.

After a break of two years, due to COVID, India’s most eagerly awaited endurance race Ironman 70.3 Goa, is back, and is being organised by Yoska, a Bangalore-based sports company. The event is scheduled to be held on November 13, 2022, at Miramar Beach, Panjim.

Participants will have to complete a 9 km swim, 90 km cycling and a 21.1 km run, all of which has to be completed in 8½ hours. The event is open for participants from age 18 -70 + years.

The routes are carefully planned around Goa’s most iconic locations. Participants also have the option of individually completing a half course, or have a relay team. Athletes from land-bound cities usually fly down over the weekends to train for swimming. This year, there are 35 participants from Goa, and approx 1,300 from other cities.

TRAINING FOR IRONMAN

Indrajeet Khadilkar, Nisha Madgaonkar (who has participated in world championships) are trainers for the swimming event; and Agnelo Desa, for cycling and running. The fee for training, for a duration of six months, is usually around ₹ 5,000 - ₹ 6,000 per month, but varies from one coach to another.

With the assistance of associate partners, travel partners, hydration and nutrition partners, the event draws numerous spectators. If the organisers decide, there will be prize money, or else the podium finishers get a chance to participate in world championships, and others get a medal and a certificate.

Every triathlon is brutal – a battle of the mind and body. “Swimming is one of the most testing activities,” says coach Indrajeet. A graduate in Commerce from Pune, he’s a forensic handwriting expert. As a graphologist, he has assisted police, legal departments, banking sections, forgery in land deals, among others. He participated in the Asian Games in the water polo event, and was employed with Indian Railways in the sports quota for swimming in Pune. He came to live in Goa five years ago, and is a swimming coach and continues freelancing as a graphologist for various departments.

“The first requirement to be eligible for Ironman is that you have to be good swimmer. It’s not a comfort zone. A majority of participants from inland Goa and land-bound cities have no access to swimming in the sea. Unlike swimming in a pool, swimming in the open water is unpredictable. They have to learn to tackle undercurrents, choppy waves, limited vision, nature, and, among the biggest hazards/challenge are jellyfish. Most swimmers have anxiety syndromes when they get a jellyfish sting, which sends a sharp current through the body. Almost 100% freak out, and trained personal accompanying the swimmers in kayaks have to pull them out, whereby they’re disqualified from the race,” Indrajeet elucidated.

The general entries for this year sold out within hours of being advertised, but there are a few VIP slots still available. So, so if you want to be in this year’s event, you have to register right away, or wait for 2023. There are plans to start an Ironman event for kids, which will be the first of its kind in India.

DETAILS

VENUE: Miramar Beach, Panjim

WHEN: November 13, 2022

ENQUIRIES: +91 8698859368