RCB & RCN Facilitate Endurothon World Record!

RCB, along with RC of the Nilgiris (RCN), is delighted to share the facilitation of a new World Record for the much talked about ‘Endurothon Gateway Challenge’, in support of the ‘End Polio Mission’, which took place on Thursday, 25th February, 2016, at 4:30 pm, at the Gateway of India, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai. Our Honorary Rotarian, Shrimati Rajashree Birla, was the Chief Guest and flagged off the event. Representing the Rotary Clubs’ joint venture was Wing Cdr. Param Vir Singh, an extreme sports specialist, who holds previous World Records for swimming the river Ganga from Devprayag in Uttarakhand to Gangasagar in West Bengal (2800 Kms in 8 days!), supporting RCN under President Rtn. Vijaya Dar, for the cause – ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’.

This expedition holds three World Records! He also undertook the Goa to Mumbai swim in February 2015, recognized as the longest swim in the World and also holds the World Record for swimming the English Channel in 8 days (2012). The ‘Endurothon Gateway Challenge’ is an ultra-distance triathlon, starting with swimming 70 kms from the Gateway of India to Aksa Beach at 4:30pm, followed by 400 kms of bicycling from Aksa Beach to Pune via Nasik and then a long run all the way from Pune, back to Gateway of India, another 170 kms! Covering a minimum distance of 635 km, the Endurothon Gateway Challenge would be the longest, toughest and the most challenging of all triathlons in the world, relentlessly testing an athlete’s endurance, resolve and character at all levels. An independent observer has been deputed by the Triathlon Federation of India for ratifying the event.

The Endurothon was flagged off as scheduled by Smt. Rajashree Birla. Wg. Cdr. Param Vir invoked heavenly blessings and amidst loud cheers and applause dived into the Arabian Sea to create a new world record. The event was also graced by Rotarians of both the Rotary Clubs, Rotaractors from RCHR, RCJC and RCGDC as well as officials from District 3140 and PRID Ashok Mahajan. Setting yet another World Record, the Wing Commander was warmly welcomed by friends, family and other spectators at the Gateway at 4.15 pm on February 28. The swim of 64.5 km was completed in a total of 9 hours and 57 minutes, compared to the expected time of 12 hours. 400kms of cycling was expected to finish in 28 hours but the duo took 27.40 hours. It took him 1.15 hours more than expected to finish the 170 km run which was finished in 30.45 hours. There were occasional breaks like breakfast and brief rest but the journey was mostly continuous. Kudos to Wg. Cdr. P V Singh as also to the RCB and RCN for participating in this World Record setting event in support of the ‘End Polio Mission’.