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Colonel Jangvir Lamba, a 53-year-old officer serving at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre (South), Bengaluru completed the IRONMAN 140.6 Triathlon in Penghu, Taiwan on April 13, 2025.
What is a Triathlon?
A triathlon is a multisport endurance race that consists of three continuous disciplines—swimming, cycling, and running—performed in immediate succession without breaks. The sport tests an athlete’s overall endurance, strength, and mental resilience by requiring proficiency in three different athletic disciplines. It attracts athletes looking for a diverse physical challenge beyond single-sport events like marathons. The most common triathlon distances are:
- Sprint Triathlon: ~750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
- Olympic (Standard) Triathlon: 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
- Half-Ironman (70.3): 1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run
- Ironman (140.6): 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run (marathon)
And among all these disciplines Col. Jangvir Lamba defies all limits and conquers the toughest race on the planet earth “The IRONMAN”.
Col. Lamba on his way to victory with a wife smile on his face.
Colonel Jangvir Lamba, a fourth-generation officer in the Indian army, hails from Jaipur. Previously a bodybuilder, Lamba suddenly found his aspirations crushed when he started developing spinal issues in 2019 and was advised to reduce his weight, as his condition could worsen. Hit first, hit hard, and keep hitting – victory will be yours.” These words of his father kept ringing in Colonel Jangvir Lamba’s head as he took the uphill task of participating in the 38th edition of the Marathon des Sables, known as the ‘toughest race on Earth’. The race, covering 253.5 km done in various stages in Morocco, deep within the Sahara Desert, saw 52-year-old Lamba emerge victorious. And who could have predicted that Col.’s journey into the challenging world of marathon racing would begin with this victory?
He signs off with “Definitely no race under 100 km!” after the Marathon des Sables and this year on 13th of April the 53-year-old Indian army officer serving at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre (South), Bengaluru completed the IRONMAN 140.6 Triathlon in Penghu, Taiwan. The IRONMAN 140.6 demands 3.8 km of open-water swimming, 180 km of relentless cycling, and 42.2 km of running all in one day without a break.
The IRONMAN 140.6 Triathlon was overall a 4-day event which started with an official Expo on 11th April, 12th April was the race briefing day and 13th April was the main event when the race started with swimming at 6 am from Shili Beach which headed towards Biking and then the third and the final element was racing, the cut off timing of the race was 23:15 (last swimmer start @06:15). The last day 14th April was reserved for 2025 World Championship Slot Allocation & Rolldown Ceremony and IRONMAN Taiwan Award Ceremony & Celebration Lunch. Just another normal 4 days in the life of Col. Lamba who fiercely contested 50–54 age category and braved extreme conditions and unrelenting terrain to finish the race in 14 hours, 53 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Colonel Jangvir Lamba, serving at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre (South).
Colonel Jangvir Lamba Conquers IRONMAN Challenge, Etching His Name in Golden Letters in the Endurance Sports World and cementing his legacy. He Joins a Distinguished List of Defence Personnel, including Praveen Kumar Teotia SC (Indian navy) India’s First Differently Abled IRONMAN, Maj.Abhay Sapru (Indian Army) Ultra Runner, Col.Mandeep Maan SM (Indian Army) Ultra Runner, are some of those names who have Achieved This Remarkable Feat.”
However, The Indian Armed Forces are no Strangers to Endurance Excellence – From Battlefield to Marathon Finishes.
The indian Army actively participate in and support various running events, including half marathons and other endurance races. The Indian Army frequently hosts or participates in marathons, often as part of initiatives like Army Day celebrations or to promote fitness and community engagement.
Army Day Marathons: The Indian Army organizes a nationwide half marathon on Army Day. Pangong Frozen Lake: Asia’s first and the world highest frozen lake half marathon.
Top left: is the highest altitude marathon in the world. Top Right: is the surya marathon organined on army day. Bottom left: are the chief guests of Indian Navy Marathon (CDS, COAS, CONS,etc), Bottom Right: is the starting line of Indian Navy Half Marathon Delhi
Even The Indian Navy conducts half marathon every year in Mumbai where all most 17 thousand (and increasing) runners participate annually.
Also marking its first-ever edition, the Indian Navy Delhi Half Marathon saw overwhelming participation with over ten thousand athletes completing the race.
Written by- Pranav Parmar
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