India’s top cyclist, Dr. Amit Samarth, has retained his championship title in India’s longest cycle race, spanning from Srinagar to Kanyakumari. Dr. Samarth, an ace cyclist, finished in the top position in the Solo 18-50 Male category of the 'IndianOil Race Across India 2.0.' The race, which began in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and concluded in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, covered a gruelling 3,758 kilometres, making it the largest cycling race in both India and Asia. Dr Samarth finished the race in 8 days, 2 hours and 17 minutes.
Dr. Samarth Shares His Experience
Dr. Samarth shared his experience, "This race is a true test of human endurance. Cyclists should complete the race within 12 days, this is a rule. India, being such a vast and diverse country, presents different weather challenges throughout the route. The race begins in the Himalayas, then passes through the mountains of Madhya Pradesh, and later through the rugged terrain of the southwestern Ghats. Along with these challenges, there was the October heat, with temperatures reaching 37-38 degrees Celsius daily. Initially, the first 100-150 kilometers were cold, but as we progressed, the heat intensified. In Bangalore, we encountered rain that lasted around 10 to 12 hours, but overall, the journey remained very hot. From Bangalore to Kanyakumari, a stretch of 650 kilometers, it was extremely hot. Similarly, regions like Madhya Pradesh, Nagpur, and Adilabad were also very hot and humid."
He further stated that the 'IndianOil Race Across India 2.0' is modeled on the 'Race Across America' and has received approval from the World Ultra Cycling Association and the Sports Authority of India. This is the second season of this cycling race in India. Cycling is an emerging sport in India, and to improve it, the country needs better roads, safety measures, and dedicated cycling tracks. Indian cyclists are performing well at the Asian level, but to reach the Olympics, they need to work even harder."
About Dr. Samarth's Cycling Journey
Dr. Samarth’s journey in cycling began with humble beginnings in Nagpur, India. Since then, he has carved a remarkable path in the sport, participating in numerous prestigious events in India and internationally. In addition to being the founder of the Race Across India, Dr. Samarth is also the Director of Miles N Milers and the Race Director of the Tigerman Triathlon. His achievements include completing four Full Ironman events, 16 Ironman 70.3 races, and nine full marathons (as runner). In July 2024, he achieved a fourth-place finish in the Race Around Poland World Ultracycling Championship, a 3,600-km unsupported race. He also won the 2023 Coast to Crest Ultra-Cycling Race, covering 830 km from Digha to Darjeeling. In June 2023, Dr. Samarth completed the 4,900-km Race Across America from the West Coast to the East Coast of North America in just 11 days and 4 hours, raising Rs.64 lakh for the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Beyond these, he has participated in and won numerous cycling competitions.
Meanwhile, in the IndianOil Race Across India 2.0, Fechnar from Team Poland finished second in the same category, completing the race in 9 days, 7 hours, and 13 minutes. CA Nikhil and Vishnu took third and fourth places, completing the race in 10 days, 7 hours, and 21 minutes and 10 days, 12 hours, and 35 minutes, respectively. Naveen finished fifth (10 days, 15 hours, and 9 minutes), while Sumer came in sixth, completing the challenging race in 11 days, 11 hours, and 50 minutes. Team Kolhapur finished seventh with a time of 11 days, 23 hours, and 9 minutes. Dr. Siddharth Verma, Nikhil Bahekar, Ghosh, Vikrant Uniyal, and Amit Kumar were unable to complete the race.
In the Over-50 Male category, Deepak Amin finished first with a time of 10 days, 3 hours, and 39 minutes, while Team IndianReddy.com placed second, completing the race in 12 days, 10 hours, and 36 minutes. In the Solo 60+ Male category, Dilip Warkad finished first with a time of 12 days and 11 hours. Team Sahyadri Tigers, competing in the Relay Team of 2, completed the race in 7 days, 9 hours, and 5 minutes, taking first place. Team Shivneri, consisting of Om Korhale and Deepak Korhale, finished second with a time of 7 days, 19 hours, and 58 minutes. Team Race To Vision finished third, completing the race in 9 days, 12 hours, and 4 minutes.
Dr. Amit Samarth's achievements
2023 - Srinagar - Kanyakumari 3651 Kms in 6 Days 23 Hrs.
2022 - WUCA (world Ultra Cycling Association) Records 1131 Kms in 44 Hrs 34 Mins.
3 Ironman and 16 Ironman 70.3 title holder.
2021 - WUCA Record 1021 Kms in 39 Hrs.
2021 - WUCA Record & Guiness World Record 6000 Kms in 13 Days 9 Hrs.
2018 - Finfisher 9100 Kms in 25 Days in Russia.
2017 - Finisher 5000 Kms in 11 Days 21 Hrs.
2017 Winner of Race (Pune to Goa) 650 Kms cycle Race.
