Indian-born New Zealand resident Arindam Das, 48, has joined an elite global club of endurance athletes after successfully completing the Ironman New Zealand triathlon on March 1, 2025, in Taupō. Das completed the iconic event—which includes a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle, and a full marathon of 42.2 km—in an impressive 14 hours and 22 minutes, well within the official 17-hour cut-off.
“The race started at 8 AM with more than 1000 participants from across the globe,” Das said, reflecting on his debut Ironman. “The ambience was vibrant with locals coming out to cheer us up and there were more than 1800 volunteers.”
The Ironman series, organised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), is considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. With staggered time cut-offs—2 hours 20 minutes for the swim, 10 hours 30 minutes for the bike leg, and a total of 17 hours to complete the event—finishing a full-distance Ironman is a dream for many triathletes.
This year’s race, one of the oldest Ironman events globally, was staged against the picturesque backdrop of Taupō’s freshwater lake, rolling countryside, and vibrant community support. Conditions were near ideal, with temperatures ranging between 14 and 23 degrees Celsius, though Das noted that strong midday winds—characteristic of the Taupō region—made cycling more challenging.
Photo: Supplied
“I had massive cramps on both legs towards the end of cycling but I didn’t give up and continued strong on the run till the finish line,” Das shared. “My friends and family were tracking me live on the Ironman App and watching the finish line live on YouTube. My mom, back in Siliguri, was tensed and she couldn’t sleep the entire night.”
Das completed the swim in 1 hour 31 minutes, cycling in 7 hours 17 minutes, and the marathon in 5 hours 14 minutes. He became one of the few Indians to complete a full Ironman, joining names like Bollywood actor Milind Soman, who has previously earned the title.
Photo: Supplied
“The special moment came when I crossed the finish line with the tricolour (Indian Flag) and heard the four golden words: ‘YOU ARE AN IRONMAN’,” he said. “It has been a distant dream for me to participate in a full Ironman race. After rigorous and disciplined training for one year, I could complete the race at this age and stage.”
Now in recovery, Das says he is yet to decide whether he’ll take on another Ironman event—but he has proven that, indeed, “Anything is possible.”
ISSUE
