RAMBAN, MAY 31: 6th Edition of the Patnitop Marathon, attracting over 800 runners from more than 30 cities and 15 states across India commenced successfully at Patnitop.
The event was organized by IKA Sports & Events Pvt. Ltd, a company promoted by Ironman athlete and endurance sports entrepreneur Kapil Arora in collaboration with Patnitop Development Authority (PDA), Directorate of Tourism Jammu, District Administration Udhampur and Ramban.
The event has now established itself as Jammu & Kashmir’s largest multi category hill race, bringing together elite athletes, amateur runners, fitness enthusiasts, armed forces personnel, tourists and local participants amidst the breathtaking Himalayan landscape of Patnitop.
The marathon was organized in support of the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, promoting a healthy, active and drug free lifestyle. Participants from across the country united to support the cause while experiencing one of India’s most scenic and challenging race routes.
The event was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority, Virender Kumar Manyal, SDM, Chenani, Ranjeet Singh, Deputy Director, Tourism Jammu, Pankaj Sasan, Assistant Director, Tourism, Mohd. Arif Lone, SDPO, Chenani Sukhvir Singh along with senior officials from the Health, Fire & Emergency, Police, Traffic and other line departments.
The marathon featured four race categories i.e. 50 KM Ultra Marathon, 21.1 KM Half Marathon, 10 KM Race and 5 KM Race. In addition, participants competed across five age-group categories i.e. 18–35 Years, 35–45 Years, 45–55 Years, 55–65 Years, 65 Years & above.
The structured age group categories encouraged wider participation and ensured fair competition among runners across different stages of life. One of the unique features of the Patnitop Marathon is its ability to cater to runners of all fitness levels through multiple race distances while simultaneously offering one of India’s most challenging hill ultra-marathons. This combination has helped establish the event as a premier destination race in North India.
The highlight of the event was the 50 KM Ultra Marathon, regarded as one of the most demanding and picturesque road ultra-marathons in India. The route commenced from outside the Youth Hostel at Patnitop and passed through the scenic mountain stretches of Kud, Nathatop and Sanasar Lake before returning to Patnitop, offering participants a grueling endurance challenge against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas.
The races commenced in the early hours of the morning, with the 50 KM Ultra Marathon flagging off at 4:30 AM from Patnitop. Runners navigated the challenging mountain terrain through Kud, Nathatop and Sanasar before returning to Patnitop. The Half Marathon, 10 KM Race and 5 KM Race followed at scheduled intervals, creating a vibrant sporting atmosphere throughout the day.
The event witnessed tremendous enthusiasm from runners and spectators alike, with participants travelling from over 30 cities and 15 states to experience the unique charm of running in the Himalayan hills. The marathon also generated significant tourism activity for the region, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, transport operators and small businesses.
The success of the 2026 edition was further strengthened through strategic partnerships with 10 running clubs from across India, helping expand the event’s national reach and participation. The marathon received strong support from several prominent running communities, including Jammu’s rapidly growing running groups MOBE Club and C9 Club, whose members actively participated in and promoted the event. These collaborations played an important role in attracting runners from different parts of the country and building a vibrant running community around the event.
