Chennai will create history in Indian endurance sports by hosting the nation’s inaugural IRONMAN 5i50 Triathlon and DuYoska Duathlon on Sunday, January 11. The event, sponsored by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), positions India among a select group of countries to organize the globally recognized IRONMAN 5i50 format.
India now stands as the third country in Asia and the sixth globally to host the IRONMAN Group’s Olympic-distance 5i50 Triathlon, featuring a 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycling leg, and a 10 km run, covering a total distance of 51.5 km. The event has attracted 529 registered athletes, including 83 women competitors, 17 international participants, and over 150 athletes from Tamil Nadu, showcasing strong domestic representation and increasing international interest.
Deepak Raj, CEO of Yoska and Country Head, IRONMAN India, expressed gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for their support during a press conference. He highlighted the significance of Chennai as a venue and announced plans to make the event an annual occurrence, aiming for further growth in the future.
The event also marked the unveiling of the official finisher medal and T-shirt for IRONMAN 5i50 Chennai, with the presence of athletes and media members. Dignitaries such as Thiru Satyabrata Sahu, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Thiru Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, SDAT, were in attendance.
