Kathmandu, August 18
London-based runner Santosh Rai has achieved success at the Ironman Leeds competition. In Sunday’s race, Rai finished second in his age group and 51st overall.
This is one of Ironman’s toughest courses, featuring a 3.8-kilometre swim, 180-kilometre cycle, and a 42.195-kilometre marathon run. The route’s uphill-downhill terrain adds to the challenge as well.
Due to water safety concerns, the swim leg was cancelled, and the event included only cycling and running.
“The most important thing is that my first attempt to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, has succeeded,” he said.
He said he felt immensely proud to become the first Nepali, and the first London bus driver, to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, to be held on October 10 this year, is an extremely difficult feat. Only about 3 percent of triathletes across all age groups manage to secure a spot.
To do so, one must either win their age group outright or, to have their name entered into the “ballot” (selection process), must have completed 12 Ironman races in their lifetime and have participated continuously over the past two years.
It is considered a dream and an ultimate destination for triathletes around the world.
“I hope this journey of mine will inspire others to believe that anything is possible with dedication, hard work, and persistence,” Rai said.
Rai first represented Nepal in 2024 at the World Championship Long Distance Triathlon, where he finished in the top 13.
He competed in the elite category at that World Championship, held in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia.
Last year, Rai represented Nepal again at the World Championship Long Distance Triathlon held in Spain. Competing in the 40-44 age group at the event in Pontevedra, Spain, Santosh secured a top-17 finish.
Rai, founder of Nepal Run UK, set a Guinness World Record by running the prestigious London Marathon’s 45th edition dressed in Nepal’s national attire, the daura-suruwal.
Rai began running in 2009. He is the first Nepali to complete six of the world’s major full marathons: London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Tokyo.
Nepal Run UK has also launched a “7 marathons in 7 provinces in 7 days” event in Nepal, in which Rai has participated twice.
