ULTRA MARATHONS CALENDAR 2016: This one is only for adrenaline-seeking running junkies
- By Aishhwariya Subramanian
- January 28, 2016
THE RUNNING LEGEND, Emil Zatopek, once loftily claimed that to truly experience a different life, one has to “run a marathon.” He never mentioned ultra marathons because he probably couldn’t comprehend why anybody would want to run more than 42.4kms.
However there is a clan of running junkies who aren’t satisfied with a mere marathon, they just want to keep running. Thankfully if you’re in India, there are plenty of ultra marathons to choose from in the course of the year. So, if you are one of those who wants to join the elite ranks of ultra marathoners in the country, these are some of the races you can choose from in 2016.
FEBRUARY
La Ultra - Garhwal Runs – February 20th
The entire purpose of the Garhwal Run is to see if there are any runners who can qualify for a much harder race called the LA Ultra (details of that run provided below). The race will occur in Dehradun and runners will have to finish the extremely strenuous 76km route in 12 hours. If you want to qualify for the 111km race for LA Ultra, then you have to complete this race in 10 hours. Seems easy enough, doesn’t it?
https://www.laultra.in/events/garhwal-runs/
Nilgiris Ultra – February 21st
The good news is that to run the Nilgiris Ultra, you don’t necessarily have to be an ultra runner because there is a 26km category for those who like short distances (perspective is key when it comes to Ultra races). The better news is that all three categories (26km, 52km and 70km) boast spectacular views for the runners. You get to run past tea estates, forests and valleys.
https://www.thewindchasers.com/ooty/
JULY
Himalayan Crossing & The Spiti – July 26th- 29th
The Himalayan Crossing and The Spiti are actually two races conducted by the GLOBERACERS and they take place one after the other and both can be described as insanely intense. Both are two stage races with the Himalayan Crossing ranging from Puh to Rohtang Pass and the route for The Spiti (July 29th) is mapped from Kaza to Rohtang Pass. Each race requires a mandatory 4-day acclimatization process and you will have to brave through broken trails and muddy paths (not to mention freezing temperatures). The Himalayan Crossing will have you running 338kms and The Spiti is relatively tame where you will only have to run 168Kms. Both will set you back Rs 78,000 and Rs 42,000 for registrations alone. We wish you luck.
https://thehimalayancrossing.com/
AUGUST
LA Ultra - The High – August 11th -14th
LA Ultra - The High doesn’t like to pretend that it’s easy. In fact the organizers have made it very hard to even qualify for the race because they know the race in one word is hellish. Why? Because runners will be expected to run a cruel terrain touching altitude as high as 17,500 feet while also battling extreme weather conditions (it’s not uncommon for temperatures to go from 40 degrees Celsius to -12 degrees Celsius in a matter of six hours). Runners can choose from three categories: 333kms, 222kms and 111kms, and each category comes with its own cut-off limit. Runners will have to go through two vetting processes; hence you can expect nearly the best of the best to show up at the start line. Even with that pedigree, only 30 runners have completed this race in six years. This is a race that is only for a special breed of adrenaline-seeking junkies.
Javadhu Hill Run – August 7th
Ultra runners generally tend to love any race that is organized by the affable Chennai Trekking Club because they happen to be the most pocket-friendly races in the country. And the Javadhu Hill Run is no exception. The route is beautiful and tough; the previous night stay is free; the breakfast is sumptuous, and the atmosphere is filled with easy camaraderie. With three categories (25km, 42km and 50km), this could be the perfect race to introduce newbies to ultra-distances. And did we mention it is very cheap?
https://www.chennaitrekkers.org/
OCTOBER
GR Bhatti Lakes Ultra – October 14th
The trail mapped out for the GR Bhatti Lakes Ultra is peppered with gorges, and surprises runners with varying terrains. The weather can only be described as humid and hot, and just when you think you might have a hang of the race, the slippery sand sections show up sporadically. But the GR Bhatti Lakes Ultra holds a special historic significance in Indian ultra-running landscape -- Arun Bhardwaj, the first Indian to complete the iconic Badwater Ultra Marathon, qualified for that race by running this one. This race is also a qualifier for the Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc (with 4 points for 220km category, 2 points for 160km category and 1 point for the 100km category).
Bangalore Ultra – October 30th
The Bangalore Ultra is the ideal race for anyone who wants to push their limits on flat surface. But just because it’s flat, doesn’t make it easy; the trail is narrow at places and because of its repetitive nature (runners will have to run in loops), it can start playing mind games. The Bangalore Ultra holds the distinction of being the first Ultra race in the Indian sub-continent and runners can choose from a number of categories ranging from 12.5Km to 24 hours. Since Bangalore is already home to some of the country’s most proficient amateur runners, this race is amongst the most competitive runs in the country.
https://www.bangaloreultra.com/
NOVEMBER
Pune Ultra Marathon – November 13th
The organizers of this race want to make one thing clear – do not register unless you know what you’re doing (running). The self-described “no frills” event will take you through rolling hills and two loops. There is only one category to choose from -- 50km. This would be the perfect race to experience both tough trails and intimidating hills. Because, why not?
https://puneultramarathon.com/
