Great Himalayan Running Festival 2023 I Manali - Leh Highway

How often do we get to experience the 'insignificance' that we carry within us? In the expanse of Greater Himalayas, the greatness is not the magnanimity of the subject or its attributes. It's about how the tiniest of those attributes can do the unthinkable and magnificent. It is the absence of that ‘self significance’ that makes us realize how potent our will and being is. When the mountains appear as though they are shorter, it's in moments like these that the roads to ultra adventure begin.

It's going to be all about running and racing in the pristine setting of the grand Himalayan landscape. The Rohtang Epic, The High 5s, and the infamous Hell Ultra - all flavored with the festivities of endurance sport and ultra running give you the perfect stage to achieve greatness. From the 17th of June, 2023, in the 6th edition of the Great Himalayan Running Festival, you get to see the elements of greatness inscribed in these mountains. All you gotta do is push yourself and find the extremes of your limits.

What should a festival of running look like? - we were daring to imagine the unthinkable for us, back in the year 2015. The idea of running the Leh Manali Highway through the mighty Himalayan Passes was bound to find its shape. We had found a synonym of the name, literally a namesake of the Hell Race.

The Hell Ultra, to put it generally, defines us. Our ability to host and operate a 480 km run through this route exposes us to various experiences of learnings and failures.

The Rohtang Epic is a gentle entry into the world of hell we have created at the Great Himalayan Running Festival.

With the best of their fields, you will be experiencing the festival of running - literally above the clouds. As colorful as it could be in this barren Himalayan geography, we have imagined a real 'hell' for you.

Run the entire 480km distance from Manali to Leh on the highest highway in the world. Manali – Leh highway is considered as 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 ofJune and closes in Oct. The average altitude is higher than 4000 m & Oxygen levels dip to 40-60% on passes. Running in such conditions is not an easy task and would need serious training.Covering 480 km on foot in just over 120 hours that too at such high altitude is definitely not for the weak of will!

Distance: 480 KM

Elevation Gain: 10000+ Meter

Total Cut-Off Time: 120 Hrs

1st CUT OFF: JUNE 21, 1600 HRS | 80 KM - 16 HOURS

2nd CUT OFF: JUNE 21, 2200 HRS | 115 KM - 22 HOURS

3rd CUT OFF: JUNE 22, 2200 HRS | 222 KM - 48 HOURS

4th CUT OFF: JUNE 24, 1600 HRS | 350 KM - 90 HOURS

5th CUT OFF: JUNE 25, 2200 HRS | 480 KM - 120 HOURS

Eligibility Criteria: Runner should have finished a hundred miler between 1st July 2022 to 1st June 2023 in plain and a 100 KM run in the Mountains.

If the epic 480 kilometers of the Leh Manali Highway does not suit your training and preparation, we are bringing in the only a.d first 135miler A to B race in India. We start from the Manali Mala Road start line amnd go on to scale the heights of Rohtang La, Baralacha La and Nakeela.

Distance: 135 MILES | 217.261 KM

Elevation Gain: 8030M D+

Cut-Off Time: 45 Hrs

1st CUT OFF: 16 HOURS | 80 KM | SISSU

The runner must depart the AID STATION within 16 hours of the race, dedicated vehicle to follow for support

2nd CUT OFF: 22 HOURS | 115 KM | KEYLONG

The runner must reach the AID STATION within 22 hours of the race,

3rd CUT OFF: 45 HOURS | 217.261 KM

The runner will be transported to Manali post their finish

Eligibility Criteria: Runner should have finished a hundred miler between 1st July 2022 to 1st June 2023 in plain and a 100 KM run in the Mountains.

The Hell Ultra-480 km 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 five full marathons on five consecutive days from Manali to Leh on the toughest & the highest road in the world. 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 of surviving in the toughest conditions, overcoming barriers. On one of the remotest Indian highways with the most unpredictable conditions and the most beautiful landscapes the country has to offer, The High 5’s is a festival for you.

Distance: 5 Marathons

Elevation Gain: 4250 Meter

Cut-Off Time: 40 Hrs(Cumulative)

Eligibility Criteria: Runner should have finished minimum 2 marathons between 1st July 2022 to 1st June 2023 within 5 hrs.

The first day of the High5s is an introduction to the hell you have signed for next five days. The first day needs you to cross the longest road distance (14 km traverse) through a mountain pass on this higjway. This is the day where you get your real shot at acclimatization in the race. You may face the severest of uncertainties.

Start: MARHI , 3467 M

Start to Rohtang La - 12.7 KM / 7.9 Miles | Highest Altitude : 3879 m

Elevation Gain: 598 M / 1965 ft

Finish: Sisu, 3074 m

Transfer to hotel at Jispa: 55 KM

The second day is a progression through the gateway you crossed in Stage 1. It gets tougher, higher and the lungs start gasping for Oxygen. It keeps getting better though - you start from the mind rolling turns of the Gata Loops a d climb up to the Baralacha La. Suraj Taal - the pristine lake by the pass is a solace on this journey that brings you to Sarchu.

We stay in basic tented accommodation here in Sarchu. Water here freezes, the toilet pits could be dry.

Start: Zing Zing BAR 4320 m

Start to BL - 15.8 KM / 9.8 miles | Highest Altitude: 4902 / 16048 ft

Elevation Gain - 685 m/ 2247 ft

Finish: Sarchu 4370 m

Transfer to Accomodation: Sarchu- 5 KM

The High 5s get further high - not just once but twice as the 3rd stage takea you through an entirely different world. Mountains here are bewildering - of magnificent shapes and sizes, carved by the snow, wind and water. The landscape gradually transforms into canyons.

We stay at a tented accommodation in Pang. Oxygen gets further thin and we spend the night with the best we can get in this part of the world - magnificent night skies and food.

Start: Brandy Nallah 4160 M

Start to Nakee La : 20.2 KM / 12.5 miles | Highest Altitude: 5053 / 16578 ft

Start to Lachung La : 32.1 KM / 20 miles

Elevation Gain: 1348 M D+

Finish: Pang 4774 m

Transfer to Accomodation: Pang - 12 KM

STAGE 4 - THE SAVIOUR | MOREY PLAINS

With the advent of the 4th day, you gain some respite. This is the most flat course of High 5s. We start from a little above Pang, in the Morey Plains and finish at Debring, in Morey Plans.

Morey Plains is an embodiment of the infinite. After last 4 days of gorgeous valleys and grand mountains in eyesight everywhere, there comes this plain spread out till the foot of mountains as far as human eye can see.

Tonight,we camp again in a makeshift accommodation. Oxygen levels do not get any better but the walk into the plains is what you would cherish the most.

Start Morey Plains 4759 m / 15612 ft

Elevation Gain - 685 m/ 2247 ft

Finish - Debring 4631 m

Transfer to Accomodation: Camping at Debring

For one last time before you get to the finish line, the High 5s get higher, better and bitter. You will be going above 5300 metres. Tanglang La is infamous in the GHRF circuit - for its unpredictability. Everything here changes in snap of fingers - the O2 saturation, the wind pressure, the temperatures and the snow.

You cross through the pass, climb down a d finish at Rumtse. Rumtse is 80 km away from Leh - our final destination. You will be ferried to the hotel accommodation and we celebrate the last 5 days of running in this part of Himalaya in Leh city.

Start: Debring 4631 m

Start to Tanglang La: 14.3 KM / 8.9 miles | Highest Altitude: 5333 m / 17497 ft

Elevation Gain: 654 m/ 8.9 ft

Finish: Rumtse 4351 m

Transfer to Accomodation: Leh - 80 KM

No one can imagine the difficulty of any race till someone gets to experience it. This is ultra running, you have to taste it, to imagine the kind of difficulty. To experience the Hell that is 480km, we have introduced – the Rohtang Epic.

A 50 miles(80km) and a 50 KM race starting from Manali and going all the way up through Rohtang Pass with an elevation gain of 2000m.

We start running uphill from 2000 meters - that's Manali and in just about 8 kilometers more than a full marathon run, you will have climbed 2000 meters when you reach the finish line of the Rohtang Epic. Needless to say, the only uphill ultra of the world, Rohtang Epic, asks for some shredded calf muscles and in worst cases an extra pair of lungs could do.

Elevation Gain: 2000 Meter

Cut-Off Time: 16 Hrs

Eligibility Criteria: Runner should have finished minimum 2 marathons between 1st July 2022 to 1st June 2023 within 5 hrs.

START : MANALI | ALTITUDE: 1950 M

MAX ELEV: 3870 M

ELEVATION GAIN: 2267 M D+

LONGEST ASCENT: 2156 M D+

HYDRATION : Every 5 KM

Drop Bag: Sissu, Madhi

Cut off - 6 Hours at Madhi, 16 Hours at Sissu

Supplementary Oxygen not allowed

MAX ELEV: 3870 M

ELEVATION GAIN: 1200 M D+

LONGEST ASCENT: 100 M

HYDRATION : Every 5 KM

Drop Bag: Koksar, Marhi

Cut off - 10 hrs.

Eligibility Criteria: Runner should have finished minimum 2 marathons between 1st July 2022 to 1st June 2023 within 5 hrs.

The Great Himalayan Running Festival includes 4 race categories - 480km, 135 miles, 42km every day for 5 days, 50 miles and 50 km. The Hell Race events are all semi supported physically challenging ultra adventurous events and participation in these races incurs medical risks, many of which can be extremely serious or fatal.

Participation in this event is at the runner’s own risk. Although there will be mobile support systems with basic medical kit at various points along the courses, the inaccessibility of some areas of the course will make it difficult for medical assistance to reach the runner immediately.

Participants are encouraged to see their own medical doctor prior to the Run. Runners should be aware of the stress effects attendant to participation in ultra events.

It is important for each entrant to recognize the potential physical and mental stresses, which may evolve from participation in these running events. Runners will be subjected to extremes of heat and cold, hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, AMS disorientation and mental and physical exhaustion. Event staff and the medical staff strive to work with runners. They will do all they reasonably can to ensure “safe passage” to the finish-line, but ultimately runners must understand their own limitations. This is one event where it is better to follow the dictates of your body — not your ambitions! Adequate physical and mental conditioning prior to the run is mandatory. It is advised that if the runners have not been able to prepare properly, they must not attempt to run!

Runners should appreciate the risks associated with participation in this event. Actions may have to be taken on their behalf under extreme time constraints and adverse circumstances. Runners are suggested to be careful, responsible, and must not exceed their own abilities and limitations.

Please note that death can result from several of the risk conditions discussed below or from other aspects of participation in the Great Himalayan Running Festival. These should be understood and remembered by all runners, before and during the event.

Race Bib, Race T-shirt, Medal, Certificate, Hydration support, Refreshment and food during the race, Medical support, Transport in the race

2 Night 3 Days in Manali with Breakfast and Dinner.

1 Night stay in Leh with Dinner and Breakfast

Dedicated Support Vehicle After Sissu with a volunteer and driver.

After Race Party in Leh Stay and food on Manali Leh Highway.

Race Bib, Race T-shirt, Medal, Certificate, Hydration support, Refreshment and food during the race, Medical support, Transport in the race

2 Night 3 Days in Manali with Breakfast and Dinner.

1 Night stay in Solang After Race with Dinner and Breakfast

Dedicated Support Vehicle After Sissu with a volunteer and driver.

Race Bib, Race T-shirt, Medal, Certificate, Hydration support, Refreshment and food during the race, Medical support, Transport in the race

2 Night 3 Days in Manali with Breakfast and Dinner.

1 Night stay in Leh with Dinner and Breakfast.

After Race Party in Leh Stay and food on Manali Leh Highway.

Race Bib, Race T-shirt, Medal, Certificate, Hydration support, Refreshment and food during the race, Medical support, Transport in the race.

Exclusions: Any personal expenses

RACE FEES AND PAYMENT METHODS

ONE TIME PAYMENT : REGISTRATION TILL 15th SEPTEMBER - 15 % DISCOUNT, 16 SEP - 15 OCT - 10% DISCOUNT, 16 OCT - 15 NOV - 8 %

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 15 MAY, 2023

1st EMI between 15 AUG to 15 SEP -

First EMI through TOWNSCRIPT

ACCOUNT DETAILS FOR TEN MAXIMUM

First month 15 AUG to 15 SEP 

First month 16 SEP to 15 OCT 

First month 16 OCT to 15 NOV 

First month 16 NOV to 15 DEC 

First month 16 DEC to 15 JAN 

First month 16 JAN to 15 FEB 

First month 16 FEB to 15 MAR 

First month 16 MAR to 15 APR 

First month 16 APR to 15 MAY

First month 16 MAY to 15 JUN

 

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

# Any cancellation before 60 days will be eligible for a 100% refund of registration fee.

# Any cancellation between 60-45 days will be eligible for a 50% refund of registration fee.

# Any cancellation between 44-30 days will be eligible for a 25% refund of registration fee.

# Any cancellation between 30-0 days will not be eligible for a refund under any circumstances.

# Any cancellations and refunds for registrations will

- minus one EMI - First Six Month

     After that no discount

For More details:

Visit www.thehellrace.com

Contact Us: +91-8744002299

A Ladakh trip of 480 kilometers on foot, in less than 120 hours - can you think of this rarely thinkable?