U’khand to host ‘extreme ultra run’ at Niti valley from May 31

Dehradun: In a bid to develop Niti Valley into a new hub for adventure tourism, the Uttarakhand govt is set to host the Niti Extreme Ultra Run 2026 from May 31 to June 2. Following the Adi Kailash ultra marathon, this will be the second such event being held near the China border in Chamoli district.The ultra run, themed “Beyond the Canyon”, will set a record as the sixth highest-altitude ultra run in the world and the fourth in India, officials said. The highest point on the route, Rimkhim, lies at 4,384m, where runners will face challenges such as thin oxygen, biting winds, rugged terrain and extreme altitude.A 75km ultra run will start from Rimkhim and proceed through Sumna, the Grand Canyon stretch and Malari culminating at Niti village. Meanwhile, a 42km marathon will be held in a loop within Niti village. A large portion of the route is located at an elevation of 10,000ft.So far, a total of 908 runners, from 27 Indian states and two foreign nations, have registered. Medical check-up is mandatory for all participants, while medical teams, support stations and emergency helicopter services will be available during the run. In addition to the tourism department, ITBP and the Indian Army will provide security and logistics support throughout the event.Tourism secretary Dheeraj Garbyal told TOI, “After the Kailash Ultra Marathon on Nov 10, 2025, the logo of the Niti Extreme Ultra Run was unveiled by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Since then, the capacity of registered homestays in Niti Valley has grown from 35 rooms to more than 265, with bed capacity surpassing 630. Residents have begun converting their traditional homes into attractive homestays, providing direct economic benefit to villagers.”He added that, like Mana Valley, Niti Valley is now set to become a major tourism centre. “Neglected after the 1962 war, the govt is now undertaking numerous construction works in the region. Despite attractions such as Dronagiri trekking, Timmarsain Mahadev and Bhavishya Badri, Niti Valley remained off the radar of tourists,” he said, adding that large-scale events like the ultra marathon are helping brand the region.