New Delhi, August 26: Indian Army officer, Lt. Gen Anil Puri, became the first serving general to complete France's oldest cycling event, 1,200-km Paris-Brest-Paris circuit. The 56-year-old general-rank officer completed the circuit on Friday, August 23. He cycled non-stop for 90 hours without sleep from Rambouillet on the outskirts of Paris to the Brest military port on France's western tip and back. Nashik Top Cop Ravinderkumar Singhal Completes Ironman Triathlon! 7 Facts About One of World's Toughest Sporting Events.

There were a total of 6,500 participants at the event from across 60 countries. According to reports, of the 367 participants from India, only around 80 could successfully complete the arduous trek while the rest dropped out midway.  Major General VD Dogra Becomes First Indian Army Officer To Complete Ironman Triathlon.

The Indian Army on Monday congratulated Lt. Gen. Puri for successfully completing the event. The Army tweeted, “#Congratulations Lieutenant General Anil Puri to become first serving general #IndianArmy to complete France's oldest cycling event, 1,200-km Paris-Brest-Paris circuit. The 56 years old officer completed the circuit on 23 August 19 by cycling non-stop for 90 hours, without sleep.”

Indian Army's Tweet:

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also congratulated the Army officer for achieving the landmark. Gehlot tweeted, "Congratulations to Lieutenant General Anil Puri for becoming first serving general of the Indian Army to complete France's oldest cycling event, 1,200-km Paris-Brest-Paris circuit, by cycling for 90 hours, without sleep. It is truly remarkable!"

Ashok Gehlot's Tweet:

Speaking to IANS after completing the event, the general-rank officer said, “We need to change our interests and hobbies in the physical and electronic domains every three to five years in order to stimulate our minds. The whole experience of the event was humbling because it teaches you that nature can never be conquered.” Lt Gen Puri was among six army personnel from India who had secured berths at the event for having completed at least one 1,000-km non-stop cycling event during their respective careers.

(With inputs from IANS)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2019 01:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).