For Ketaki Agtey-Sathe, Ironman 70.3 Goa Wasn't Just About Crossing A Finish Line

Ketaki Agtey-Sathe, representing India, made big waves at the recent Ironman 70.3 challenge in Goa, finishing at #1 in the Female 45- 49 category. Clocking 5:51:05 in the race, the Mumbai resident took 3rd place among all female competitors and 48th overall. With an average speed of 5:21 minutes per kilometre, Ketaki emerged as the fastest woman runner on the course at the triathlon.

The fourth edition of the Ironman 70.3 on October 27 saw participants from across the world completing a 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre cycle, and 21.1-kilometre run, according to the Asian News International. The race was flagged off from Miramar Beach, about 3 kilometres from Panaji.

Ketaki Agtey-Sathe: Dedicated Training

Running has been a cathartic release for Ketaki, who has been practising the sport for over two decades. She participated in numerous marathons worldwide and forayed into triathlons in 2017. Ketaki also took part in the 2019 edition of Ironman 70.3 Goa, where she took second place in her category.

Ketaki dedicated months to rigorously training for the 2024 Ironman Goa. "The preparation was done in a structured, phased manner for a couple of months. It covered about 10 to 12 hours of training in a week, across all three disciplines including strength training," she told SheThePeople.

Committed to her career in public relations and her role as a mother-of-two, Ketaki balanced her demanding schedule with her unwavering dedication to training for the triathlon. "The idea is to be disciplined and focused on your training to be able to prepare for an event like this," she expressed.

Eye On The Prize

At the Ironman 70.3 Goa, Ketaki's preparation and resilience were on full display as she efficiently managed her physical and mental energy across all segments. "It was about being tuned in and cognisant about nutrition and hydration on the course. That was key to be able to finish strong,' she said.

"Winning my category and performing in the manner that I did at Ironman Goa is very prestigious because I'm pitting myself against international athletes across all age groups... So to stand 3rd in the open category at my age, and be the fastest runner amongst the women, it is quite commendable. So I'm very proud of myself. I'm very happy with my performance."

Finishing first in the 45-49 age category, Ketaki not only achieved a personal goal but also highlighted the impact of structured, disciplined training. She said, "Tuning into my nutrition, hydration, my training plans, and all my hard work came together on the day of the event. So it's a very proud moment for me."