Chennai | Gear up for WCCG Aalam Deepam Duathlon to run, ride and take home a medal

WCCG's Aalam Deepam Duathlon in Chennai offers virtual and in-person races, promoting fitness and supporting disadvantaged communities.

When the fourth edition of WCCG’s (Chennai Cycling Group) Aalam Deepam Duathlon took place in 2023, the city was still reeling from the grips of the pandemic. Participants who had registered for this event, raced virtually and solitarily to the whirr of their cycle chain.

They sped down familiar lanes, huffing and puffing to finish the first leg — the run, and eventually completed with what they did best — cycle. “One could’ve been in Timbaktoo and participated in the race. All they would’ve had to do was upload their statistics from a preferred fitness tracking app,” says Priya Arjun, a member and coordinator of WCCG.

One year hence, this fitness event is back in Chennai. This time, participants do not have to ride solo. With their colourful helmets, hunched backs and sipper bottles, the athletes will have the opportunity to line up outside Mayajaal on the East Coast Road on March 10 for their first in-person race.

“Last year, the WCCG chapters organised mini races for themselves. This time, they can run and ride in a larger race with the larger cycling community. The race will lead one back to Mayajaal,” Priya says.

The categories this year include a five kilometre walk/run followed by a 20-kilometre ride titled ‘sprint’. The Olympic category involves a 10-kilometre run followed by a 40-kilometre ride. Participants can choose to tag along with a teammate for both these categories where one will be nominated to run, while the other rides.

Running tends to be the less preferred choice for cyclists. Training has hence begun well in advance to ensure that everyone’s cardiovascular health is high, says Priya, adding that those who are pressed for time should try the sprint category to begin with.

During their edition in 2023, a woman part of the OMR chapter took part from the United Kingdom as she was travelling. The coordinator says that they do not want to deter such committed participation. Hence, the virtual races will continue and must be completed within a day on either March 8, 9 or 10. The virtual ride will be tracked and verified on the backend through Strava (a fitness tracking app). All those who complete will receive a t-shirt and a finisher medal.