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The early morning sun casted a golden glow over the beach at Cairns, Australia. The air was thick with anticipation as WO1 Muhammad Umar Alsiddiq adjusted his swimsuit, ready to begin his third full Ironman race.

The journey to this moment had been years in the making, a testament to his discipline, resilience, and strong family support.

WO1 Muhammad Umar Alsiddiq is currently a DART Section Commander at DART East Base (Kallang Fire Station). PHOTO: SCDF

WO1 Umar has been with the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) for 10 years. To him, this role is more than just a job; it is a calling.

Be it diving 20 metres into murky waters at 4am for a water rescue, or scaling the Singapore Flyer and cable cars during training, WO1 Umar has always thrived under pressure. “In DART, we stay focused on the task at hand,” he said. “When your mind is focused on the mission, the fear naturally fades away.”

It was during his DART training that WO1 Umar discovered his true potential in physical fitness and mental endurance. Inspired by this, he began to train for Ironman triathlons in 2015. 

A half-Ironman race involves a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle, and a 21km run, while a full Ironman race doubles the distance. Such distances may seem daunting, but to WO1 Umar, they were just new challenges to overcome. 

WO1 Umar’s training regime alternates between swimming, cycling, and running. On average, he trains close to two hours a day. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

He started running longer distances, gradually incorporating cycling and swimming into his routine. To minimise injuries, he also does strength training and Pilates. After two years of training, he felt ready for his first half-Ironman race.

That first race was a humbling experience for him. “I was young and enthusiastic, and I went in thinking I could go fast,” he recalled. However, it quickly dawned upon him that strategy was just as important as strength for such races. “When I saw participants who were 10 years older breezing past me in the running and cycling segments, I questioned why I was not excelling in this sport.” 

Yet, WO1 Umar was not discouraged. He reflected on the experience and sought advice from seasoned triathletes to adjust his training regime. “From that experience, I learnt about pace discipline,” he said. “It’s not so much about speed, but rather, listening to your body and approaching the race with patience.”

“Listening to your body means finding a comfortable running pace for yourself, keeping your heart rate at a steady level, and most importantly, having optimal nutrition,” WO1 Umar explained. 

Through trial and error, he planned his intake of water, salt tablets, energy gels, and electrolytes at precise intervals to sustain himself through the long hours of each race.

Besides participating in Ironman triathlons, WO1 Umar also participated in Olympic-distance triathlons which involves a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle, and a 10km run. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

Just like other DART Specialists, WO1 Umar has trained for prolonged rescue or firefighting operations which can last a few hours to even a few days. 

“As such, the endurance, pace discipline, and nutrition in our operations are similar to the requirements of Ironman races,” WO1 Umar noted.

WO1 Umar cycled in the rain during a half-Ironman triathlon in Desaru, Malaysia. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

By 2019, he had completed five half-Ironman races in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. In 2022, he took a significant stride forward, by completing his first full Ironman race in Perth, Australia, in about 12 hours. Since then, he has completed another full Ironman race in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Each race presents a different challenge. “Swimming in open water is different from the pool,” he said. “You have to adjust your direction and factor in the currents that are pushing you back.”

While cycling in Langkawi, his endurance was sorely tested by the steep hills and scorching heat. Through it all, the constant cheers from the local community kept him going. 

After about 14 hours, WO1 Umar completed his second full Ironman race in Langkawi, Malaysia. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

Reflecting on the atmosphere and camaraderie among triathletes, WO1 Umar said, “We look out for each other. If someone is struggling or faces issues like a punctured tyre, we will stop and help. At the end of the day, all of us want to complete the race safely.”

Having participated in five half-ironman races and two full-Ironman races, one might assume that training gets easier. But does it? “Actually, staying consistent with training is tougher,” WO1 Umar said firmly. 

“Training is the time for us to learn from mistakes. That’s when I determined a comfortable pacing for myself, and figured out the intervals to hydrate and consume my energy gels. Likewise, in DART, we train diligently to remain in top form and excel during operations.”

WO1 Umar’s journey in Ironman triathlons would not have been possible without the support of his family. 

His wife, a special education teacher, is also a triathlete. Together, they balanced training schedules and childcare duties, taking turns to pursue their passions. 

WO1 Umar once participated in a triathlon with his wife. After he swam and cycled, she took over the run, while he looked after their children. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

“Family support is important,” WO1 Umar said. “When I’m training for races, my wife steps in to take care of our children, and when she races, I do the same.”

Travelling overseas for triathlons became a family affair. After completing the race, WO1 Umar and his family will explore the country, having a well-deserved holiday. “The race is the challenge,” he said, “but the sweet reward is spending quality time with my loved ones.”

As a Multisport Convenor in SCDF and Duathlon Convener for the Ministry of Home Affairs’ sports team, WO1 Umar is constantly encouraging his colleagues to embrace an active lifestyle. 

WO1 Umar (first row, centre) with participants from the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Prison Service during a duathlon in 2024. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

He often offers advice to those interested in starting their Ironman journey. “It’s not just about completing the races; it’s about the journey and the person it shapes you into,” he said with a smile.

WO1 Umar (in green cap) at his third Ironman triathlon in Cairns, Australia. PHOTO: WO1 MUHAMMAD UMAR ALSIDDIQ

As WO1 Umar dived into the choppy waters of Cairns that morning, he carried with him his training and lessons as a DART Specialist, the love of his family, and the determination of an Ironman. Each stroke, each pedal, and each step reflect his belief that the human spirit is capable of achieving extraordinary feats, one challenge at a time.