Yoska and IRONMAN Group Develop MoU With India's Sports Department for Endurance Events

Yoska and the IRONMAN Group are developing a detailed Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Government Sports Department to support the Fit India Movement through endurance events, the organisations said on October 31. The planned partnership centres on IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 and UTMB trail running events, with the sixth IRONMAN 70.3 Goa triathlon expected to draw over 2,000 participants, ANI News reported.

Yoska's MoU Plan With the Sports Department

Yoska and The IRONMAN Group met Union Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and are working on the agreement with the Indian Government Sports Department. The stated focus is continued delivery and growth of IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 and UTMB trail running events, hosted across multiple Indian states to grow national participation.

The Fit India Movement was launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Modi and is designed to weave physical activity, sports and balanced nutrition into everyday life, according to the release. The organisations said they share a vision of encouraging healthier and more active communities across India, inspiring participation particularly among youth, promoting India as a destination for high-quality sporting events and supporting the growth of endurance sports.

IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon arrived in India in 2019 with around 1,000 participants. The sixth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa is expected to bring together over 2,000 participants, double the number at the start. The race has also expanded to include IRONMAN 70.3 Ahmedabad in 2027, with additional IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons and UTMB World Series trail running events in development.

Indian participation has grown substantially, with the number of athletes racing an IRONMAN triathlon around the world more than doubling since 2018 and IRONMAN 70.3 participation growing almost sevenfold, with participation in UTMB World Series events also showing strong early growth.

Michelle Pepper, Managing Director, The IRONMAN Group Asia-Pacific, said, "India has been one of the most encouraging stories for The IRONMAN Group. We began with around 1,000 athletes at the first IRONMAN 70.3 Goa, and the sixth edition will welcome over 2,000 competitors."

Deepak Raj, CEO & Founder, Yoska, said, "IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon began in India in 2019 with about 1,000 participants, this weekend, the sixth edition in Goa will have double that, and we are excited to add IRONMAN 70.3 Ahmedabad next year."

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IRONMAN 70.3 Ahmedabad Set for 2027

IRONMAN 70.3 Ahmedabad is scheduled to join the Indian calendar in 2027, according to the release. Additional IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons and UTMB World Series trail running events are in development, the organisations said. The detailed Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Government Sports Department is being developed, with no signing date given.