The Venugram Cycling Club successfully conducted the VCC Duathlon 2026 at Jain Heritage School, with around 250 participants taking part from Belagavi, Hubballi, Raibag, Kolhapur and other cities across Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The event featured Olympic and Sprint categories, held in Solo and Team formats, following the endurance-based Run–Cycle–Run format. Smooth race execution, clear route markings, hydration points, timing systems, and volunteer coordination ensured a competitive yet well-managed sporting environment.
Winners – Olympic Category
Olympic Team
- 1st: Swayam Kasare & Chetan Kannagar (02:01:42)
- 2nd: Pradeep Garud & Bhavaku Jadhav
- 3rd: Shreyas Shinde & Himanshu Kodulkar
Olympic Solo – Male
- 1st: Shekhar Kale (02:13:12)
- 2nd: Yash Muchandi
- 3rd: Amol Kshirshagar
Olympic Solo – Female
- 1st: Vinaya Gujjar (03:09:05)
- 2nd: Nanda Asterkar
- 3rd: Sushama Bhat
Winners – Sprint Category
Sprint Team – Open
- 1st: Shetappa Pirangi & Mubarak Dantali (01:09:30)
- 2nd: Krushna Dhanphale & Ashish Honmane
- 3rd: Kumaran B.P. & Pramod Sonawane
Sprint Solo – Male
- 1st: Shrikanta B.(01:09:08)
- 2nd: Vikram Lawand
- 3rd: Suresh Chougule
Sprint Solo – Female
- 1st: Nidhi Chougule (1:44:41)
- 2nd: Sonali Hittalmani
- 3rd: Madhura Hallikeri
All finishers were awarded medals and certificates, while winners received trophies and cash prizes. Participants appreciated the disciplined organisation, safety arrangements, and volunteer support throughout the event.
Organisers said the increasing turnout year after year reflects a growing interest in endurance sports and fitness culture in North Karnataka and neighbouring regions. With the successful completion of this edition, VCC Duathlon 2026 further cements its position as a key endurance sporting event in the region.