At the Summit Run Sethan – Hamta, we will have an ULTRA distance category / level. A 50+ km flagship category that will take you over the twin summits of Sethan Dome & Hamta Pass. Other than the ultra-distance, we will have two categories – 25 km (ultra half) & 16 km. While category 1 (16 kms) is an out & back loop, the 25 km & 50 km will have a different starting and ending points.
Jagatsukh – Banhara – Tilgan – Souroutoo – Sethan Dome – Jobri – Chica – Jwara – Balu Gera – Hamta Pass.
To understand how these points are laid out on the map for each category / level.
Here are the category wise distance, elevation and cut-off charts. It is important to note that the actual distances for these cut-off and finish points may vary based on GPS readings. The real final distances for each category could be – 18.5 km (16 KM) | 23 kms (25 KM) | 51 km (50 KM)
Anyone who is active and from the outdoor community, regularly engage in different outdoor & mountain-based sports can sign up for Summit Run.
Note – For 16 Km, we would also accept beginners who do not meet the above criteria, but are overall active and regularly engage in fitness activities.
An Important document that covers all information that will help you plan your travel, stay and other race day logistics. We recommend going through this in detail. Please click here to review.
The event is essentially a trail run over two summits, which puts it in the league of speed ascending / sky running category among trail runs. It’s not a trek. You are covering the same distance and taking the same trail as trekkers do, but putting the effort to cover it in a much shorter duration.
The TWO high points of Sethan Dome & Hamta Pass are – ~4400 M & ~4250 M respectively. Not all categories touch both the summits. Level 1 (16 km), only touches the 2nd base camp of the Hamta Pass which is ~3500 meters high. Level 2 (25 km), goes over Sethan Dome only. And Level 3 (50 km) touches both Sethan Dome & Hamta Pass.
If you are into short hikes and do not have much experience in multi-day treks, Level 1 is something you can go for. Levels 2 & 3 are more suited for people with running & trail running experience, but experienced trekkers and mountaineers who have the experience of putting in long hours on the trail can definitely go for Level 2 or 3.
For level 2 & 3 which starts from Jagatsukh, the first 1-1.5 km is a narrow-paved path and steps leading to the Banhara village temple where you enter the forest. Once you enter the forest, the trail becomes a marked dirt trail leading you to the Tilgan area which is a forest campsite. Most of the route through till Jobri is a mud grassy trail with minimal rocky sections and some forest areas. After you reach the Sethan ridgeline, it’s a green open meadow leading all the way to the Sethan Dome and down to Phyang Niru. Check the gallery section for ideas on the terrain.
The overall elevation gain for each category is close to what you experienced during the Indrahar run. Where the final climb for Indrahar was much steeper and more technical with rocky & boulder sections, the climb to Sethan Dome is less steep and an open high meadow with few rocks and boulders on the way. This is a skiing slope primarily because the technical rocky sections are missing. Climb to Hamta is a mix of narrow streams, grassy patches and rocky sections.
We plan to close the entries by early May to start our final prep. For the event. You should sign up soon and make your travel & stay arrangements soon as it’s a busy touristy season in the Manali area.
Both the start points – Jobri (Level 1) and Jagatsukh (Levels 2 & 3) will be situated on the LEFT BANK of Beas river. Both are about a 35-40 min drive from the main Manali town. You can look for any accommodation that is close to these start points depending on your category. As of now, we haven’t tied up with any accommodation for the event, so you are free to choose to stay as per your budget and needs.
Manali is accessible via road from New Delhi (10 hrs by overnight bus) and from Chandigarh (6-7 by overnight bus). Flight – Bhuntar, near Kullu, is the nearest airport with limited flight connectivity. For all those coming from south, central, east, northeast, or west India, check for flights to Delhi or Chandigarh and take an overnight VOLVO bus to Manali. This is the most convenient and cost-effective way. Direct flights to Kullu are prohibitively expensive.
Here’s a list of mandatory gear category wise for the upcoming Summit Run.
Category 1 – 16 Kms
1) Trail Running Shoes
2) Rain Jacket / Poncho
3) Handheld sipper – 500 ml / Waist belt with two bottles
4) Whistle
5) Sunglasses (recommended)
Category 2 – 25 Kms
1) Trail Running shoes
2) Rain Jacket / Poncho
3) Head Torch
4) Hydration Pack with at least 1 Ltr water bladder
5) Whistle
6) Sunglasses (recommended)
7) Emergency Blanket
Category 3 – 50 Kms
1) Trail Running shoes
2) Rain Jacket / Poncho
3) Head Torch
4) Hydration Pack with at least 1.5-2 Ltr water bladder
5) Whistle
6) Sunglasses (recommended)
7) Emergency Blanket
You may carry a hiking pole as well if you prefer and are used to it.
