RAIN Racers – 2023

AMIT SAMARTH (Finish Time 6 days 23 hours and 39 mins)

He is famously known for his spectacular performance as the First Indian in his first attempt to complete the toughest cycling race in the world, Race Across America in 37-years of RAAM history in the year 2017, then went on to achieve a grand title of being the only Asian till date to have completed the Trans-Siberian Extreme 9100 Kilometres. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest cycling movement on the Golden Quadrilateral of India 6000 kms  and many more such achievements which were groundbreaking in itself yet he sensed something missing which was the feeling of elevating the cycling community in his own country, India. After much deliberation and thought and the forces aligning for this cause, today, his brain child Race Across India – The Longest Cycling Race is born.  He is one the founding members here to uplift the Indian cycling community and get them on a stage to recognise their talents and potential to be their own hero! He himself competed in this race of 3651 kms and completed  in total time of 6 days 23 hours and 39 mins which has set an all India Record of being the fastest on this route from Srinagar to Kanyakumari.

MANISH SAINI
(Finish Time 11 days 16 hours and 47 mins)

Manish Saini, is an Entrepreneur and a Supply Chain Expert, currently working with BlinkIt, to create the world’s fastest and most reactive supply chain. After suffering from Slip Disks in 2008 and 2014, he took up fitness seriously. Going on to test his interest in multiple sports, he was introduced to long distance cycling in 2019. He tested himself in a few brevets of 200 and 300 kms before participating in Shivalik Signature Race in 2019 which he completed successfully in a team of four category. Finding adventure through his means, He took a leisurely trip on cycle to Kazak from Chandigarh and then to Manali in 2021 along with his family which showed him that he’s capable of much more than he had initially thought to achieve. He decided to join Miles and Milers Training Academy under the able guidance of Dr. Samarth where he saw dramatic improvements in his fitness level and today he can proudly claim his title of being a finisher at IndianOil Race Across India completing this race of 3651 kms in 11 days 16 hours and 47 mins. His performance was entirely facilitated by his wife Preeti,  two kids, Kanav (14) and Jay (11) and his athlete friend Jai.

SUMER BANSAL (Finish TIme 11 days 22 Hours 14 mins)

Sumer Bansal was born and brought up in Nangal (a town in Punjab) presently based in Chandigarh working as a Project Manager with Graycon Inc. He is a Supply Chain Management Professional with around 15 years of experience in different domains of Supply Chain.  His cycling journey gradually took shape after he started participating in multiple Brevets, SR Series and soon enough he was able to pull off 600-700 kms and even 1500 kms. Sumer has always aimed to achieve higher and so he was one of the first ones willing to participate in the longest cycling race and challenge himself to face the storm and taste the ultimate thrill of it all! He came with one car and two of his closest friends – one to navigate, provide nutrition and another one to drive continuously at a monotonous average speed of 20-25 kmph. His journey was indeed a unique experience to capture, one with many struggles and finally the “PUSH” that drove him to complete this race  of 3651 kms in 11 days 22 Hours 14 mins.

BOBBA RAVINDER REDDY (Finish Time 12 days 14 Hour 42 Minutes)

At 52 yrs old, Bobba Ravinder Reddy has stunned the world with his excellent performance in race format. He is from Hyderabad, a Chemical Engineer, MBA (Mktg), works as a manager at Gail India Limited. At the age of 42, he started his fitness journey doing his first Half Marathon going on to  finish 268 Marathons in 9 States of INDIA by the age of 50 yrs. In Oct’ 2021, He was awarded with a World Record for the most half marathons completed in one month and just like that he finished 3,700 Km Solo Cycling Srinagar to Kanyakumari in 22 days in Dec’ 2023. Immediately after in Jan-Feb ‘23, He  went on to cycle 6,533 Km completing the Golden Quadrilateral in 34 days. After which he showed up at the start line of IndianOil Race Across India to do yet another cycling expedition but this time in race format of 3651 kms across the country in a race cut off of 13 days for 50+ Male Category which he completed in 12 days 14 Hour 42 Minutes.

GEETA S RAO (Finish Time 16 days & 52 mins)

Geeta S Rao is a Professional Para-Cyclist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with experience in Road, Track, Ultra, MTB Cycling Silver Medallist,  Asian Road & Para Cycling Championship Mar’2022, Tajikistan Silver Medallist at Asian Para Track-Cycling Championship Jun’2022 and has many other laurels to her name. She is the only female participant of the first edition of Race Across India 2023 and was super elated to do this race with flying colours. During the race, she had many obstacles, especially as a para cyclist. The climbs, weather and the combination of other factors derailed her performance which ultimately put her behind in the race. She, being a fighter all her life, refused to give up. Along with the support of her sister and other crew members who merely came as drivers – extended their warmth and pushed her each day to get to the finish line completing this race of 3651 kms, although outside cut off, in 16 days & 52 mins.

DHIRAJ KALSAIT (Finish Time 12 days & 2 mins)

Dhiraj Kalsait is a differently abled mountaineer and cyclist from Akot, Akola, Maharashtra. Not only was he born without a left-hand claw, he also had to amputate his left foot during treatment due to a severe accident in 2014. In such a situation, one would feel miserable accepting this reality but Dhiraj decided not to make it his identity and turned to the field of climbing. He successfully climbed the small and big Gad Kila peaks of Maharashtra, Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra. He climbed Mount Kilo Manjaro, the highest peak in South Africa on 26 January 2019. Then on August 15, 2019, Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Russia, He had to face various challenges to make both these campaigns successful. Dhiraj, having been a cyclist since his childhood, does short distance and semi- long distance rides and on an Ashadhi Yatra with the Aurangabad District Cycling Association he discovered RaIN. Rest is literally history as he has shook the world with his performance of completing this race of 3651 kms in 12 days & 2 mins whereas he got 14 days for being differently abled. Dhiraj was able to do this race within cut off time for abled bodies male category.

MAHARASHTRA POLICE (Finish Time 8 days 2 hrs 25 mins) – Relay Team of 2

Maharashtra Police team has cycled this distance of 3651 kms in 8 days 2 hrs 25 mins and done justice to the race by making sure to celebrate each moment of their victory by dancing to some fantastic tunes along the way. More importantly, they stopped on their way to help 2 accident victims enroute which speaks volumes and  is absolutely commendable.

1.Devanand Bhoje
Born in Pusad and brought up in Amravati (Maharashtra). Working as Class 2 officer in Maharashtra Police Department for the last 26th years. Devanand was keenly interested in sports from the very beginning, being a university team player in college. He started cycling 3 years ago when all the gyms were closed due to the Corona pandemic. During this period only he came to know about brevets, then started participating in the same. completed his 3rd SR Series and then on an endeavour to improve further in cycling he started preparing and participating in Ultracycling events.

2.Vijay Dhurve
Vijay K Dhurve Born in Amravati Chikhaldara, and brought up in Amravati (Maharashtra). He is currently working as an Assistant Sub Inspector in Maharashtra Police Department for the last 30 years. During his school days he used to run marathons, judo, karate, boxing. Started cycling in 2012. Amravati to Mumbai, Nagpur to Mumbai cycle campaign as well as disaster management awareness programs including CPR rope rescue, fire rescue, water rescue, prevention campaign for cycling accidents. During this time, he only learned about brevets, after which he started participating in them. Completed his 3rd SR series and then started preparing and participating in Ultracycling events in an effort to further improve his cycling.

AMRAVATI RIDERS (Finish Time 6 days 23 hr. 43min) – Relay Team of 4

Forming a team in just 10 days, having the youngest teammates, Team of 4 Amravati Riders have completed this race in great timing to complete the race of 3651 kms in 6 days 23 hr. 43min.

1. Ashish Borkar:
Ashish (23) is known to be the fastest rider in this team, he is from Amravati and works as a Cycling technician with core hobbies in Cycling and running. He earned the title in Pune – Baramati race and Nagpur race. 

2.Keshav Nikam 
A policeman from Amravati, Keshav (38) enjoys Cycling and running and has earned a gold 4 times in 5000M running. 

3.Santosh Kakade 
A Tahsildar by profession, Santosh (45) also enjoys cycling and running as a sport. Has achieved SR Title in 2022. Completed Tata Mumbai, Amravati, Yavatmal Half Marathon.

4.Krishna Prakash Mohokar 
The youngest member of this team, Krishna is a student and also enjoys Cycling and running.