Official Profile · Indian Ultra Cyclist

Miles beyond
ordinary.

From delivering newspapers on a bicycle in Bokaro to entering the Guinness record books, Shankar Kumar Thakur has turned endurance into a national story of courage.

साधारण साइकिल। असाधारण संकल्प।

Shankar Kumar Thakur standing with his expedition bicycle at Kanniyakumari after completing the Leh to Kanniyakumari ride

08.08.2026 Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Guinness World Record Holder · 2024
5,976.2km · Golden Quadrilateral
27d 30mGuinness & WUCA record
4,030km · Leh to Kanniyakumari
18d 11h 20mWUCA record · Unsupported
01 / The story

The man behind the miles

Before the records,
there was responsibility.

Shankar Kumar Thakur is an Indian ultra-endurance cyclist from Bokaro, Jharkhand, now based in Gurugram. His relationship with the bicycle began as a young newspaper delivery boy—riding 50 to 60 kilometres a day for nearly eight years to support his family.

“The bicycle was never just a machine. It was responsibility, freedom and eventually, my way of showing what is possible.”

What began as necessity became purpose. In 2018, Shankar entered endurance cycling with an extraordinary 1,000-kilometre brevet. He later earned the Super Randonneur title and completed the demanding SR5 series—approximately 1,500 kilometres across five consecutive days.

His journey now stands for resilience, environmental consciousness and a belief that extraordinary achievement does not require extraordinary privilege.

Read the published HCL profile
02 / Record book

Official milestones

India, measured
in determination.

Two rides. More than 10,000 kilometres. One athlete carrying every challenge with him.

2024

Guinness World Record · WUCA World Record

Golden Quadrilateral
Circumnavigation

A solo, fixed-gear, self-supported ride around India’s four great metros—beginning and ending at India Gate, New Delhi.

Distance
5,976.2 km
Time
27d 00h 30m
Format
Solo · Unsupported
View the official WUCA record
Shankar Kumar Thakur with his bicycle in Leh surrounded by Himalayan prayer flags Leh, Ladakh · 2026
2026

World UltraCycling Association Record

Leh to
Kanniyakumari

From high Himalayan altitude to India’s southern edge—an unsupported journey with luggage, changing climates and the full weight of self-reliance.

Distance
4,030 km
Time
18d 11h 20m
Category
Unsupported · Men 18–48
View the official ride report
03 / The journey

Built one ride at a time

A timeline of
refusing to stop.

Each milestone made the next impossible distance feel a little more possible.

  1. Newspaper routes in Bokaro

    Rode 50–60 kilometres daily for nearly eight years while helping support his family.

  2. 1,000 km debut brevet

    Entered organised endurance cycling at a distance where most riders take years to arrive.

  3. Super Randonneur & SR5

    Completed the 200, 300, 400 and 600 km series, followed by approximately 1,500 km in five consecutive days.

  4. Paris–Brest–Paris

    Participated in the legendary international randonneuring event in France, gaining experience that shaped the years ahead.

  5. Guinness record ride

    Completed the Golden Quadrilateral on a fixed-gear bicycle in 27 days and 30 minutes.

  6. Leh to Kanniyakumari

    Set a new WUCA record across approximately 4,030 kilometres of India.

04 / Beyond cycling

Professional discipline

Endurance at work,
not only on the road.

Shankar’s professional career spans supply-chain operations, accounting, B2B management, retail operations, customer relations and team leadership.

  • 01Amazon IndiaOperations · 2017–2019
  • 02Decathlon Sports IndiaSupply chain, B2B & retail leadership · 2019–2025
  • 03Duck Duck Baby Pvt. Ltd.Assistant Manager · 2025–Present
05 / Partnerships

Purpose-led collaboration

A credible Indian story
brands can move with.

Available for brand campaigns, government initiatives, speaking engagements, endurance projects and stories that connect action with purpose.

01

Brand campaigns

Cycling, outdoor, travel, nutrition, fitness, mobility and performance partnerships grounded in lived endurance.

02

Public initiatives

Fitness, road safety, environmental awareness, youth inspiration and nationwide social-impact programmes.

03

Speaking & media

Keynotes, interviews, documentary features and conversations about resilience, discipline and an India seen from the saddle.

Official enquiries

Bring the next
meaningful journey to life.

For government invitations, brand partnerships, speaking engagements, interviews and documentary collaborations.

trexpressthakur@gmail.com

Based in Gurugram, Haryana · From Bokaro, Jharkhand · India

record & endurance
kilometres documented

Golden Quadrilateral record certificate

World Ultra Cycling Association certificate recognising Shankar Thakur's Golden Quadrilateral record