Vadodara : Sachin Ashok Sharma (IRTS 2008), Secretary to the General Manager of Western Railway, has successfully completed one of the world’s most grueling endurance events—the Ironman Triathlon—held in Port Macquarie, Australia. The Ironman challenge is regarded as the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance, traditionally involving a 3.8 km open-water swim, 180 km of cycling, and a 42.2 km full marathon, all to be completed within 17 hours.
According to an official press release issued by Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, Sharma completed the Ironman Triathlon in 12 hours, 26 minutes, and 52 seconds. With this, he became the first Indian Railway officer to achieve the Ironman title.
In a dramatic turn of events, the swimming segment of the triathlon was cancelled due to heavy rains and safety concerns. The event began at 9:45 am with the 180 km cycling leg, taking athletes along a scenic yet punishing route beside the Pacific Ocean and through dense forest terrain. The course featured an elevation of 1,800 meters and included the notoriously steep Matthew Flinders Drive, with a 17% incline that forced many participants to walk their bikes uphill. However, Sharma completed this climb with remarkable determination and endurance.
Following the cycling segment, Sharma transitioned into the 42.2 km marathon run, which passed through the picturesque coastal town of Port Macquarie along the Hastings River. Amid cheers from the crowd and local supporters, Sharma crossed the finish line and was officially declared an “Ironman,” receiving the coveted finisher’s medal.
Despite earning the Ironman title, Sharma felt the experience was incomplete without the swim segment. In a display of his unwavering commitment to the Ironman legacy, he undertook a solo 3.8 km open-water swim in the cold waters of the Southern Pacific Ocean at Geelong, thereby symbolically completing the full Ironman distance and preserving the integrity of the title.
Sharma’s remarkable journey is a testament to perseverance, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Prior to this, he completed numerous endurance events including the Ladakh Full Marathon (42 km) in 2022, the 72 km Khardung La Challenge and another Ladakh Marathon in 2023, the 86 km Comrades Marathon in South Africa, and the Silk Route Ultra Marathon in Ladakh earlier this year.
His dedication to fitness aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister’s 'Fit India Movement,' encouraging citizens to integrate physical activity and sports into their daily lives. Western Railway has congratulated Sharma on this outstanding achievement and extended best wishes for his future races, recognizing him as a source of inspiration in the world of endurance sports.
