Summit Run Indrahar tests runners on the gateway to the Himalayas

The fifth edition of Summit Run Indrahar ran successfully over the weekend, offering a series of mountain challenges, with the most demanding of them culminating in the ascent to Indrahar Pass and the gateway to the Great Himalayas.

Arguably one of India's most technical trail races, the event reached a new participation high across its distances, attracting runners to the mountain trails above Dharamshala.

The 30K is the event’s Crown Jewel and its defining challenge. The route crosses the Dhauladhar Range, the first major mountain wall rising above the plains of northern India. Starting in Mcleodganj at around 2,000 metres, the out-and-back course climbs to 4,300 metres at Indrahar Pass, gaining approximately 2,900 metres of elevation in the first half alone. Entry into the category requires qualifying through race and trekking experience, and competitors must take a mandatory acclimatization period to handle the elevation change. 

Rishabh won the men's 30K in 6:54:47, ahead of Rajan in 6:59:26 and Kartik Rawat in 7:13:17. All 30K finishers also qualified for the 42K category at the 2027 Ladakh Trail to Heaven.

The men's 20K produced the standout performance of the weekend. Nimsang Limboo, one of India's leading trail runners from the Northeast, broke the course record by 25 minutes to win in 2:04:36. Arun Tomar finished second in 2:33:30, followed by Sameer Saikia in 2:35:47.

In the women's 20K, Shivi Baijal took the win in 3:58:01, followed by Juby George in 4:21:48. Devika Patil and Tejal Chandekar shared third place in 4:30:35.

The shorter-distance races offered runners a different way into the mountain trails, with courses designed to build experience and confidence at increasing elevations.

Harmandeep Kaur Gill won the women's 15K in 2:35:01, while Abhinandan Nehria took the men's race in 2:31:03. Aranya Barthwal won the women's 10K in 1:57:19, with Dalbir Singh leading the men's field in 1:37:06. In the 5K, Nishita won the women's race in 40:11 and Debasish Patra took the men's title in 35:53.

As a One Hundred® Candidate Event, Summit Runs Indrahar is being assessed against the standards required for potential inclusion in the One Hundred World Championship, adding significance to this record-breaking edition.

View the full results here.