Great Himalayan Running Festival

"Come to the Himalayas to celebrate running for a week."

Event - Hell Ultra - 480km

‘It is supposed to be hard; the hard is what makes it great!'

Run the entire 480km distance from Manali to Leh on the toughest & the highest highway in the world.

Manali – Leh highway is considered and is one of the toughest highways around the world because of the high altitude and harsh weather. The highway is closed & covered in Snow for almost six months, opens in the month June and closes in Oct. The average altitude is higher than 4000m & Oxygen levels dip to 40-60% on passes. Running in such conditions is not an easier task and would need serious training.

Covering the entire 480km on foot at such high altitude is definitely not for the weak of will!

Cutoff Time: 120 hours | Elevation Gain - 10000m

Eligibility Criteria:

Runners should have taken part in and completed a race with distance of at least 100miles in non-stop category from Sept 2018 to May 2019.

Event - The High 5's

The Hell Ultra -480km might appear formidable to some and downright crazy to most, but for those of us who wish to get a taste of running at high altitudes we introduce the great Himalayan stage run – The High 5’s

Run 5 marathons for 5 consecutive days from Manali to Leh on the highest road in the world.

Relax after the grueling day’s run and indulge yourself in this festival of running. Interaction with fellow athletes, adventure and survival stories from locals, and much more. Getting a taste of the local Ladhaki lifestyle at these very remote locations.

The idea behind ‘The High 5’s’ is to celebrate running not only as a sport, but also as a lifestyle; to provide a platform for runners from all around the World to meet, to run together, share their experiences, surviving in the toughest conditions, overcoming barriers. The remotest highway with the harshest conditions and the most beautiful landscapes the country has to offer, The High 5’s is a festival that you would want to participate in.

Distance: Marathon

Cutoff Time: 40 hours cumulative (8 hrs average per marathon)

What is Included?

• Local Transport during the run.

• Accommodation & Meals in Solang Valley (3 night)

• Accommodation & Meals during run (5 Days & 4 Nights)

• Accommodation & Meals in Leh (2 days & 1 night)

• Post Race Party in Leh

• T-Shirts, Certificates & Trophy.

• Transfer from Hotel/Camp to Race Start Point.

• Stationary and Mobile Aid Stations providing water/hydration and medical support

• Transport from finish point to Hotel/Camp

• Mobile expert medical care throughout the route.

Not Included?

• Transport To Manali and from Leh.

• Any other thing not mentioned in inclusions.

NB: The area in which this event takes place is extremely remote with few or no medical facilities. In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary to evacuate an injured or seriously ill competitor by Ambulance. It is a condition of entry that all competitors have suitable insurance covering them for taking part in this event. Any competitor without the necessary insurance will not be allowed to take part.

Event - Rohtang Epic

Rohtang Epic will start with the 480km and the High 5s categories but will end at Rohtang top. The distance of 50 km and an altitude gain of 2156m will definitely give the finishers some boost to their ego. The cut-off is 10 hours and you will see the sunrise from the top. We have seen it many times and want to invite you to the views after a long night with 50km in your feet. All the support will be provided and all we want is to give out your best. The runner who registered for The Highway (480kms and High 5s) will have 05 days of more suffering ahead. Wish them well from the top before you return down to the town of Manali.

Distance: 50km

Elevation Gain - 2156m Highest Altitude - 3970m

Cutoff Time: 10 hours

Event - Vertical KM

Vertical Kilometer (VK) is an all uphill race and the first one in India, set in Manali on 16th June. VK is a bigger and a loved one concept in Europe where runners gain 1000m altitude in a distance less than 5 km. We have the trail ready and it will be one hell of a challenge to crack sub-one hour for you guys. The world record from the best of the best VK runners is about 27-ish mins. Now you know how it’ll change you to bring your own best time. Go downhill at your own pace while giving your knees some love.

Distance: 5km

Elevation Gain - 1060m Highest Altitude - 3010m

Cutoff Time: 3 hours

Event Schedule: 

15th June, Saturday - Day 1:

Arrive in Manali; Route introduction, race briefing & bib distribution

16th June, Sunday - Day 2:

Vertical KM - Race Flagoff - 7:00am from Mall road, Manali

Vertical KM - Race Finish at the top. Cut-off 3hrs.

Rohtang Epic, The High 5's and The Hell Ultra - Acclimatization Hike 10km on the same trail. (Altitude 3010m)

Evening get together and stay at Manali

17th June, Monday - Day 3:

The High 5's - Acclimatization - Runners transferred to Marhi(Altitude - 3350m)

Hell Ultra and Rohtang Epic - Race flags-off from Mall road, Manali at 10:00pm.

Rohtang Epic - Race finish at Rohtang Top - Cut-off - 10hrs.

Rohtang Epic - Runners transferred back to Manali

18th June, Tuesday - Day 4

The High 5's - Race flag-off from Marhi.

The High 5's - Race finish at Sissu

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Jispa. Stay at Jispa

Hell Ultra - 1st cut-off - Keylong - 115km - 24hrs

19th June, Wednesday - Day 5

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Start line

The High 5's - Race flag-off from Patseo.

The High 5's - Race finish at Bharatpur

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Sarchu. Stay at Sarchu

Hell Ultra - 2nd cut-off - Sarchu - 215km - 48hrs

20th June, Thursday - Day 6

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Start line

The High 5's - Race flag-off from Gata Loops base.

The High 5's - Race finish at Pang

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Pang. Stay at Pang

21st June, Friday - Day 7

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Start line

The High 5's - Race flag-off from Morey Plains.

The High 5's - Race finish at Debring

The High 5's - Stay at Debring

Hell Ultra - 3rd cut-off - Debring - 350km - 90hrs

22nd June, Saturday - Day 8

The High 5's - Race flag-off from Debring.

The High 5's - Race finish at Rumtse

The High 5's - Runners transferred to Leh.

Hell Ultra - Final cut-off - Leh - 480km - 120hrs

Post Race Ceremony and Party

23rd June, Sunday - Day 9

Departure post Breakfast.

NOTE: For complete route details and elevation map log on to: http://www.thehellrace.com/hell-ultra/

All competitors shall be required to sign a personal liability waiver in