Malnad Ultra 50 km Race Report

Date: November 23, 2024
Location: Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka
Category: 50K Ultra Marathon
Terrain: Coffee plantations, forest trails, rolling hills

The Malnad Ultra 2024 lived up to its reputation as one of India’s most scenic yet challenging ultramarathons. It was great to be back on these trails – one of my favourite races in India.

Reaching Chikkamangaluru/Pre-Race

One of the highlights of the race back when I raced here in Malnad was the trip to Chikkamanguluru. There was no direct road or train connection. We needed to take a train to Birur and from there we were picked up by the buses sent by organisers and stayed in homestays.

Post-pandemic things may have changed and we needed to find our own transport. I was kind of bummed i missed that train ride full of runners. This year, I came a day early to Bangalore and stayed near airport to picked up by a cab together with another runner, Allison from Seattle, to travel to Chikkamangaluru. The cab ride was not as cool as the train ride. But we got to see some of the historic landmarks on the way – couple of archeologically relevant temples.

Reached Chikkamanguluru on Thursday evening, rested up the rest of the day. After a short shakeout run on Friday, we collected the bibs. The bib collection part was fantastic. Got to catchup with some of the familiar faces, old friends and had a feel of the race course.

Race Day

The starting point buzzed with anticipation at dawn. As runners gathered, the crisp morning air mingled with the earthy aroma of coffee plantations. After a quick briefing and a rousing cheer and some pre-race selfies and other catch-ups, the 50k race flagged off at 6:00 am.

The Course

The 50k course was a true trail runner’s paradise. It offered a mix of terrains, including narrow dirt paths, shaded forest sections, and steep climbs and not my favorite – some concrete sections.

• Kilometers 0–15:
  The first section had gradual ascent through lush coffee plantations. The ground was firm, making it ideal for a steady pace. The excitement of the race and the anticipation of ascent, I was going as per the plan.
• Kilometers 15–30:
  The middle section was a test of endurance. Rolling hills and sharp descents pushed the quads to their limits. This segment took us deep into forested paths where sunlight barely penetrated. Some of those descents also tested my right knee that was bothering me for few months and the pain started to grow as miles ticked by. I may have slowed down here a bit. We also faced some route troubles. Some of the route markers were wrongly placed or they have disappeared. We learned later that someone may have sabotaged the race course by messing with the route markers. This was sad considering how much effort the organisers put in to welcome runners coming with many running goals.
• Kilometers 30–38:
  A grueling climb awaited at around the 35k mark, with an elevation gain that left me walking. The rocky terrain only made the climb harder. But, who expected an easy peasy race. The descent, though welcome, demanded focus due to loose gravel and a nagging knee pain.
• Kilometers 38–50:
  The final stretch flattened (relatively) out but felt endless. This could have been an easy sprint to many. But I had to slow down considerably because of my right knee that was not cooperating at all! And, the last kilometer was a hill annoyingly. Finished at 7:07 hrs, more than an hour slower than planned.

Race Highlights

• Scenic Splendor: The route’s beauty was unparalleled, with panoramic views, vibrant greenery, and even sightings of some bird species.
• Community Spirit: The camaraderie among runners was palpable. Encouragement flowed freely, especially during challenging climbs.
• The Malnad Ultra Buckle: This is a collectible. I am happy to have my 3rd buckle from here.

Performance and Results

The winner completed the 50k in under 6 hours, an 18 year old from nepal. She was followed by her country woman, a 19 year old, finishing under 6:30 hrs. The 3rd was my roomie from Seattle finishing just over 6:45 hrs. Technically I was the fastest Indian woman. Though I have the bragging rights, not so happy with the timing. But this is an ultra trail and anything can happen on race day and that was the best I could do on the day and I should live with that.

And, being in the 40s and still competing with the ‘kids’ and still being able to finish as the fastest Indian – I am happy with that.

Final Thoughts

The Malnad Ultra 2024 delivered on every front—challenging trails, impeccable organization, and a supportive community. It remains a must-run event for trail enthusiasts seeking a balance of adventure and natural beauty. For me it was the last run of the year before I start the training block for Boston. So, feeling good to end the year on a high – an year with many PBs and podiums.

Looking forward to 2025 challenges already!