70 km Ultra Run category to be introduced; athlete verification to follow NADA-AFI standards
Dehradun: In line with the directions of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal to institutionalise the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run and the Niti Ultra Extreme Run as annual events, and to finalise preparations for the second edition of the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run. The meeting was attended by Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhattgai, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Managing Director Vineet Tomar, the District Tourism Development Officers of Pithoragarh and Nainital, the Deputy Director of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the Tourism Secretary conducted a detailed review of the preparations being carried out by the district administration and held extensive discussions on the proposed high-altitude ultra-marathon, including the route plan, various race categories, and the necessary arrangements. On this occasion, he announced that a 70-kilometre Ultra Run category would be added to the competition this year, a move expected to give the event greater prominence among the country’s leading ultra-marathon competitions.
The Tourism Secretary also directed that, to strengthen athlete verification and competition standards this year, the necessary certification process would be adopted in line with the standards of national and international bodies such as NADA and AFI, so that the credibility and quality of the event meet international benchmarks.
During the meeting, the Tourism Secretary instructed the Pithoragarh District Magistrate to coordinate with the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to ensure comprehensive preparations. He directed that a joint action plan be prepared covering the availability of doctors, medics and paramedics, security management, disaster response arrangements, and the development of essential infrastructure along the entire route. In response, the District Magistrate informed the meeting that a district-level coordination meeting with the Indian Army and ITBP is scheduled for July 27.
The District Magistrate also informed the meeting that accommodation capacity in the event area has now increased to around 1,400 beds. The Tourism Secretary directed that a renewed carrying capacity analysis be carried out to assess both the current available capacity and the potential increase in capacity by the time of the event, so that arrangements at the venue can be managed smoothly.
The Tourism Secretary directed the District Tourism Development Officer, Pithoragarh, to carry out an early recce of the proposed route so that the final alignment for the various race categories can be determined. He also instructed that hydration points, medical support points, toilets, rest areas and other essential facilities be identified in a time-bound manner.
The Tourism Secretary further directed the district administration to carry out extensive testing of internet connectivity along the entire route and to coordinate with telecom agencies to strengthen network coverage wherever required, so that participants, the event management team and security agencies have uninterrupted communication facilities.
Notably, Adi Kailash is a sacred snow-clad peak located in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. Owing to its religious significance and its rugged terrain close to the Mansarovar region, it draws adventure tourists and pilgrims from across the country and abroad. This is one of the reasons the high-altitude parikrama run held here has been gaining particular popularity among adventure sports enthusiasts.
Concluding the meeting, Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said the Adi Kailash Parikrama Run will be held in its second edition on October 24 and 25, 2026, with renewed energy and wider public participation. He said this year’s event will place special focus on showcasing the cultural heritage of Vibrant Villages, active participation of local communities, involvement of village representatives, a community lunch, cultural performances, and local traditions, with the aim of presenting the region’s distinct identity at both the national and international level. He directed all concerned departments to coordinate closely and ensure time-bound, high-quality preparations, so that the event can give the border valleys of Uttarakhand a new identity on the global tourism map.