Uttarakhand to Host 100-Mile Himalayan Ultra Run in May

Uttarakhand will host its first 100-mile Himalayan Endurance Ultra Run (HEUR) in May 2027, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Sunday, as part of efforts to promote the state as a major adventure tourism destination.

The race will begin at Mana Pass, at an altitude of nearly 5,600 metres, and conclude at Auli via Badrinath and Joshimath in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Dhami announced the event while attending the second edition of the 70-km Adi Kailash Parikrama Run at Gunji, near the India-China border in Pithoragarh district.

Felicitating winners of the 70-km and 42-km races, the Chief Minister said competing in the high Himalayas, amid difficult terrain, extreme weather and low oxygen levels, demonstrated exceptional courage and determination.

He said the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run was more than a sporting event, providing a platform to showcase the natural beauty, cultural heritage and tourism potential of Uttarakhand's border regions.

More than 700 runners participated in the inaugural edition in 2025, helping bring national attention to the region's adventure tourism potential.

Dhami said the number of inner line permits issued for the Adi Kailash region had risen significantly this year, reflecting growing interest among tourists and pilgrims.

He said the proposed 100-mile international race would attract endurance runners from India and abroad while generating employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth.

Such events also benefited homestay operators, guides, transport providers, hotels and food businesses, he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated his government's commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and ensuring that its economic benefits reached communities in remote Himalayan areas.