From Medicine to Sports: Pune doctor couple, their kids finish Ironman Triathlon 70.3 in Italy

Pune: In a historic achievement, the Dumbre Patil family from Pune has set a record as the first medical family to complete the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon together. Showcasing remarkable endurance and determination, the family conquered the challenge and etched their name in the India Book of Records.

The triumphed family include Dr Sampat Dumbre Patil, an orthopaedic surgeon, along with his wife, Dr Pallavi Dumbre Patil, a radiologist, and their two children- Daughter Prachi Dumbre Patil who is a final-year MBBS student at B J Medical College, and son Prasad Dumbre Patil, a first-year MBBS student at B J Medical College, who successfully finished the Ironman 70.3 held in Emilia Romagna, Italy, on September 22, 2024.

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The gruelling triathlon included a 1.9 km open water swim, a 90 km cycling course, and a 21.1 km run and as per the manual, the competitors had to complete the race within eight hours. Despite battling strong sea currents, powerful winds, and steep terrains, the Pune-based family completed the challenge, as reported by the Indian Express. 

Their achievement was officially confirmed on February 1, 2025, and the certificate of recognition was awarded to the family on February 8 by Dr Chitra Jain, an adjudicator from the India Book of Records.

This historic milestone showcases not only their medical expertise but also their commitment to fitness and endurance sports, setting an inspiring example for both the medical and sports communities.

It was not an easy task for the family to achieve the milestone as they put their blood, sweat and tears into training rigorously for 8-10 months to prepare for the competition. Over 3,500 participants from various countries took part in the event, but the Dumbre Patil family stood out with their unwavering determination and exceptional teamwork. 

After successfully gaining the recognition and entering the Indian Book of Record, the family has set a new goal of conquering the full Ironman 140.6 event next year. For this, they have disclosed that they are hoping to train together again for the upcoming event. 

Speaking to the Daily, Dr Vaishali Dumbre Patil said, "It is really exciting that we could accomplish this feat together as a family. It all began with staying fit. My husband and I had participated in running events and completed a half marathon. We would also swim and cycle and children would participate. It was my husband who suggested that the entire family take up these exercise workout plans together and train for the Ironman 70.3 event. This would also be a good way to bond together as a family."

“Time management was important. Our training would usually begin early in the morning. There were three to four running sessions, two to three swimming sessions including in open water, and two to three cycling sessions – both indoor and outdoor. There would be days for strength training and yoga,” Dr Vaishali Dumbre Patil said. “If Dr Sampat had to attend to surgeries early in the morning, then he would train in the evening,” she added.

“This competition was an unforgettable experience for us. Completing such a prestigious event as a family is a rare achievement. Our goal was to encourage fitness alongside education, and this journey has strengthened our family bond immensely,” Dr Sampat Dumbre Patil said while the children added that competing along with their parents on an international stage was truly special.

“Prachi suffered a knee injury that required her to use a walker for three months, making training difficult. However, she worked hard in the last 15 days before the competition to regain strength. Prasad was preparing for his 12th board and NEET exam but managed to balance both training and academics. His efforts paid off as he completed the Ironman challenge and secured admission to B J Medical College,” said Dr Vaishali Dumbre Patil. 

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