KOCHI: At noon on May 23 in Hirosaki, Japan, Geeno Antony began to run. Twenty-four gruelling hours later, when the clock struck noon again at the IAU 24-hour Asia and Oceania Championships, the 33-year-old Thiruvananthapuram native battled his way to silver, covering a staggering 272.894 km on a punishing 1.25-km loop.It was a moment of redemption for the Indian Army runner, who finished tenth at the 2025 IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) 24-Hour World Championships in Albi, France, in Oct last year, narrowly missing out on a medal.“This time, I was more determined and better prepared,” he told TOI.For Geeno, stationed in Bhopal with the EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) division of the Indian Army, the feat in Japan was forged through two months of brutal training under head coach Samthosh Padmanabham, an ultrarunner himself.“We trained under the blazing sun, ran through the nights, and simulated 230-km stretches. In ultra running, your endurance, stamina and willpower are constantly tested,” Geeno said.India swept the competition, which saw the participation of 9 countries, with Airforce personnel Amar Singh Demand taking gold and Saurav Kumar Ranjan winning bronze, as the Indian men’s team clinched gold with a record-breaking 815.833 km tally.India have now emerged champions in three consecutive editions — 2022, 2024 and 2026 — cementing their status among the world’s endurance elite.Any race longer than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 km is typically called an ultramarathon. Distances usually cover upto 400 km and success depends on speed, endurance, willpower and nutrition.“In this format, runners circle a loop continuously for 24 hours, while electronic chips are fitted on their shoes to record every metre covered,” Geeno explained. “During the run in Hirosaki, our nutritionist Sonali Sahoo gave me digestible carbohydrate gels at regular intervals and water that gave me instant energy to run non-stop for 24 hours.”Growing up in the coastal village of Thumba, Geeno loved to run as a child. After joining the Army, he ran his first half marathon only seven years ago. He transitioned to running full marathons, and when he realised he had the stamina to run ultramarathons, he began to eye competitions abroad.At the 2025 IAU 24H World Championships in France, he covered a staggering 265.198 km in a single day. At present, he is the only Keralite ultra runner to represent India globally.“This is an achievement we must celebrate,” said Santhosh Padmanabhan, team India’s head coach and manager. “The victory belongs not just to the athletes, but to every supporter who believes in Indian ultra running.”Santhosh reckoned India’s rise in ultramarathons is driven by science-backed preparations.“Earlier, runners trained individually. We have introduced structured training, nutrition strategies and recovery science. Blending speed with endurance is the key for ultra runners,” he said.He explained that improving lung capacity, strengthening muscles and understanding carbohydrate intake are now central to elite performance. “The body has to be trained to consume fuel while running non-stop for 24 hours,” Santhosh elaborated.India’s achievements in Hirosaki reflected that transformation, with eight of the 11 athletes recording their personal best performances.Despite the international success, ultra running struggles for mainstream sponsorships. “It is not an Olympic sport yet, but the traction is growing tremendously,” Santhosh added.In Hirosaki, as Geeno staggered through an entire day on his feet, India’s ultra runners showed they are now setting the pace in ultramarathons.Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.