Kaveri Trail Marathon
Imagine running adjacent to a canal full of flowing water and resting your eyes on lush fields enroute. The Kaveri Trail Marathon (KTM), held by Runners For Life, starts near the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and follows the river Cauvery’s course.
The race is usually held in the third weekend of September, and is a demanding one, thanks to the dazzling sun, the presence of a water body, and the stones and gravel you run on.
The positive side is that you can spot otters and 150 species of birds at the sanctuary, including the painted stork and the common spoonbill.
Visit: kaveritrailmarathon.com
Auroville Marathon
This is a marathon with a difference. There are no winners or losers, because the organisers believe that all finishers are winners.
It also does not award any prize money for the early finishers. Which is why it is not a timed run. The trail winds past the jungle and Matrimandir.
The first edition was held in February 2008, to commemorate 40 years of the founding of the idea called Auroville.
The marathon (the trail is 42.195 km, 21.0975 km or 10 km) hopes to offer everyone who wants to run a platform, and its motto is to bring alive the spirit of the joy of running.
The 10th edition will be held on February 12, 2017. It is conducted by Auroville Runners in association with the community.
Visit: marathon.auroville.com
Corbett Running and Living Cross Country Marathon
If you want to combine adventure and exhilaration, check out this cross country marathon and road run, which features a 42.2 km, 21.1 km, 10.55 km and 5-km run. It takes place on April 15, 2017.
All the cross country runs start at Mapple Leisure Resort at Sawaldey village and end there too. Part of the trail is a narrow pebbly forest with chances of a fall. The marathon lists training schedules for people, to help them prepare.
The organisers also encourage you to car pool or take public transport so that you reduce your carbon footprint.This is a timed run.
Visit: runningandliving.com/our-runs/corbett-marathon
La Ultra – The High
This is a marathon meant for professionals, and features three runs — 111 km, 222 km and 333 km, in Leh.
It passes through the highest motorable mountain pass in the world, Khardung La.
You need to be at peak fitness for this. In some stages, the oxygen level is barely 40 per cent. Temperatures can fall as low as -10 degrees C.
The cut-off time is 20 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively.
The run is conducted by Dr. Rajat Chauhan, a runner and sports medicine and rehabilitation medicine expert.
This year, the event takes place on August 16, 2017.
Visit: laultra.in
The Coorg Escapade
Your endurance will be tested, but then your eyes will feast on the picturesque landscape of Coorg as you run this marathon that snakes past hills, coffee plantations and a seasonal waterfall.
The organisers’ intent is to promote responsible tourism through a trail run.
This is organised by Carun Carumbiah’s Next Level Sport and Entertainment.
The marathon’s first edition was held in 2014, with three categories — 10 km run, 2.5 km fun run and a 10-km relay for corporates and families (locals only).
This event offers prize money.
Visit: thecoorgescapade.com
