CISF Assistant Commandant Aishwarya Upadhyay Completes 120-Km Hell Race Ultramarathon in Goa

Assistant Commandant Aishwarya Upadhyay, a Team Commander with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), completed the Hell Race 120K Ultramarathon in Goa on August 8, 2026, finishing one of the toughest endurance events in the country.

The 120-kilometre race tested runners with steep and undulating hills, dense forest sections, slippery roads, persistent rainfall and high humidity. The route also involved around 1,800 metres of elevation gain, making it a severe challenge of stamina, pacing and mental toughness from start to finish.

The scale of the difficulty was reflected in the race’s completion rate. Of the 120 runners who began in the 120K category, only 88 managed to cross the finish line. That attrition rate highlights how punishing the course was and places Upadhyay’s finish among the more notable performances in the field.

What makes the effort more striking is the distance jump involved. Before this event, Upadhyay’s longest run had been 42 kilometres. The Goa ultramarathon was his first attempt at an ultramarathon, taking him from a marathon-distance best to a 120-kilometre race — nearly three times farther than his previous longest run.

Completing such a course required sustained physical output over many hours, along with the ability to cope with changing terrain and adverse weather. The achievement points to the endurance, discipline and determination needed to keep moving through difficult sections when fatigue and conditions become increasingly demanding.

For the CISF, the performance also draws attention to the importance of physical preparedness and endurance among its personnel. The force is associated with resilience and demanding operational standards, and Upadhyay’s finish adds a personal example of those qualities in an extreme sporting setting.

By completing his first ultramarathon at 120 kilometres after previously running no more than 42 kilometres, AC Aishwarya Upadhyay demonstrated how far disciplined preparation and perseverance can carry an athlete when the distance, terrain and weather all work against them.