Hyderabad: “I could finish the 4,900-km Race Across America (RAAM) in the solo category in 11 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes only because of my strategy and my strong desire to finish the race,” said Lt Col Dr Srinivas Gokulnath.
Dr Gokulnath stood seventh among the nine men who finished the gruelling race, with an average speed of 10.86 miles an hour. He was competing for the second consecutive year at RAAM. He was timed out last year after pedalling for nearly 3,000 km. Thirt-five-year-old Dr Gokulnath is an aerospace medicine specialist in the Indian Army based in Nashik.
He said, “I never allowed any negative thoughts in my mind and the focus was stronger this time. Apart from the temperatures, the struggle through cold mountain passes in Colorado and windy plains in central America, dealing with my own self was the biggest challenge I faced during the race.”
Dr Gokulnath wants more recognition in this country for this sport, which takes much more out of an athlete than other more popular sports.
“Ultra cycling is a neglected sport. It should get the same attention and support as other sports. I am a self-funded athlete so I had to work on my savings and had to take loans to participate in the race. As I was simultaneously working, it was a big challenge to train. I had to spend six to eight hours on my job,” he said.
But it was all worth it when the finish line came into view. “Finishing this race was a lifetime experience for me. I would like to try again for this race after some time and once I get some support; this race needs a lot of sustainable support.”
