Adi Kailash ultra marathon draws 1,100 runners to Pithoragarh's high Himalaya
By Aditi KulkarniEducation Writer, Peepals Bharat
File photo: Kcsr.ntl (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
More than 1,100 participants from 26 states joined the second Adi Kailash high-altitude ultra marathon in Pithoragarh, held October 24-26, 2026.
What Happened
More than 1,100 participants from 26 states took part in the second Adi Kailash High Altitude Ultra Marathon in the Vyas valley of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, held from October 24 to 26, 2026. Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbiyal flagged off the 70-km ultra-marathon at Jolingkong, near Adi Kailash, on Friday, October 24, at an altitude of about 15,200 feet. Shorter races followed on October 25 and a mountain-terrain biking event on October 26. The state is using the event to draw visitors to its remote border region.
Key Facts
- Event: second edition of the Adi Kailash High Altitude Ultra Marathon, also called the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run, in Pithoragarh district.
- Dates: October 24 to 26, 2026.
- Participants: more than 1,100 across all events, from 26 states, according to official figures reported by the district.
- 70-km ultra: started at Jolingkong on October 24 with 109 runners, according to the District Information Officer; a 42-km race had 73 runners.
- October 25: races of 21 km, 10 km and 5 km.
- October 26: a mountain-terrain biking competition.
- Conditions: temperatures were reported as low as minus 7 degrees Celsius at the start area.
Why It Matters
Adi Kailash is a peak in the Vyas valley of eastern Uttarakhand, close to India's border with Tibet. It is sacred to many Hindus, who regard it as linked to Lord Shiva, and it sits near Om Parvat, a mountain known for a snow pattern that many see as the sacred syllable "Om". For years the area was visited mainly by pilgrims and a small number of trekkers, because it is far from major towns and lies in a restricted border zone.
The marathon is part of an effort to change that. By holding a race at over 15,000 feet, the state tourism department is giving runners and adventure travellers a reason to come in late October and is putting the region on the national sports calendar. According to reports, the event became better known after Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned it in his radio programme. More visitors can mean income for homestays, local guides, drivers and small shops in villages along the route, which have few other sources of money.
Running at this height is demanding. Air at 15,000 feet holds much less oxygen than at sea level, so runners usually need to acclimatise, which means spending a few days at height so the body can adjust before racing.
| What travellers should know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Vyas valley, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand |
| Nearest base town | Dharchula |
| Permit | Inner Line Permit needed for the border zone |
| Best known sights | Adi Kailash, Om Parvat |
| Season | Roads can close in heavy rain; check before travel |
Impact
Short-term: The three days of racing brought visitors, support teams and officials into the Vyas valley, and national attention to a destination many Indians have not heard of.
Long-term: If the event becomes an annual fixture, it could help spread tourism across the year and support the local economy in remote border villages. More visitors will also test the region's limited roads, waste management and fragile mountain environment, which will need planning by the state and district.
Who is affected: Runners and adventure travellers; homestay owners, guides and drivers in the Vyas valley; pilgrims to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat; and the Uttarakhand tourism department and Pithoragarh district administration.
Key Takeaway
Uttarakhand's second Adi Kailash ultra marathon drew more than 1,100 participants to a remote 15,000-foot border valley, part of a push to grow tourism there.
Questions and Answers
When and where was the Adi Kailash ultra marathon 2026 held?
It was held from October 24 to 26, 2026, in the Vyas valley of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand. The 70-km race started at Jolingkong, near Adi Kailash, at about 15,200 feet.
How many people took part in the Adi Kailash ultra marathon?
More than 1,100 participants from 26 states took part across all events, according to figures reported by the district. The 70-km ultra had 109 runners and the 42-km race had 73.
Which races were held?
A 70-km ultra and a 42-km race on October 24, races of 21 km, 10 km and 5 km on October 25, and a mountain-terrain biking event on October 26.
Do visitors need a permit to go to Adi Kailash?
Yes. The area is a restricted border zone, so visitors need an Inner Line Permit, issued through the sub-divisional magistrate's office in Dharchula. Travellers should also check road conditions before setting out, as heavy rain can close the route.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aditi Kulkarni, Education WriterCovers Education and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Aditi Kulkarni
Ather Energy posts first quarterly profit as revenue jumps 63%
EPS-95 higher pension: Bombay HC says PF trust rules cannot block claims
Aditi Kulkarni is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
