Shimla, April 10
More than 300 runners from India and abroad will take part in the sixth edition of the Silk Route Ultra Trail, a high-altitude endurance marathon along the historic Himalayan trade route from Narkanda to Sarahan, scheduled to begin on Saturday.
The ceremonial flag-off of the event was held on Friday by Theog MLA and former Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Kuldeep Singh Rathore, according to organizers.
The event is being organized by Shimla-based The Himalayan Expedition, with a focus on reviving the legacy of the ancient Silk Route while promoting adventure sports and sustainable tourism in the state. The route follows the historic Hindustan Tibet Road, offering participants a challenging run through remote mountain terrain.
The race will be conducted across four categories: 13 km, 30 km, 55 km, and 100 km, catering to both amateur and experienced runners. Participants will traverse steep climbs, forest trails, and high-altitude ridgelines, making it a demanding test of endurance.
Lakshay Vrat, founder of The Himalayan Expedition, said the course is designed to push runners through varied terrain while giving them an immersive experience of the region’s landscape.
The 100 km category is expected to be the main highlight, with a cut-off time of 26 hours. The winner of this segment will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
The event showcases the natural beauty and cultural significance of the Narkanda-to-Sarahan route and is expected to further boost Himachal Pradesh’s standing as a destination for trail running and adventure tourism.
