Event Information

India, a land of diverse terrain, ranging from the rocky faces of the Himalayas to the forested slopes of the Sahyadris and the Western Ghats, offers grueling and challenging race routes.

With the Deccan Ultra, we introduce trails nestled deep within the Sahyadri Range, offering mesmerizing views of the Deccan Plateau. The Deccan Ultra route includes the highest peak of Maharashtra, Kalsubai at an altitude of 1646m and also the toughest triple-trouble forts in Sahyadri; Alanggad, Madangad and Kulanggad, commonly called the AMK.

The route is a mix of easy-ascent slopes as well as treacherous rocky outcrops overlooking the valley below. To climb the near-vertical slopes there are iron ladders along the course. The 161km, 115km and 80km category circulates around the vast Bhandardara dam, iconic majestic Windmill mountain top and involves climbing 5 forts and the Kalsubai peak. 

Categories:

161 KM 

Elevation Gain: 5735m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 33 hrs

ITRA Points: 6

115 KM:

Elevation Gain: 4383m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 25 hrs

ITRA Points: 5

80 KM:

Elevation Gain: 3560m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 18 hrs

ITRA Points: 4

55 KM

Elevation gain: 2146m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 12 hrs

ITRA Points: 3

35 KM

Elevation gain: 1880m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 8 hrs

ITRA Points: 2

21 KM 

Elevation gain: 915m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 6 hrs

15 KM

Elevation gain: 854m

Highest Altitude: 1650m

Cut-Off time: 3 hrs

VERTICAL KILOMETER (VK)

Distance: 7.5 KM

Elevation gain: 1107m

Highest Altitude: 1550m

Cut-Off time: 2 hrs

Qualifying Criteria 

The course is set on mountainous terrain and is a mix of easy-ascent slopes to treacherous rocky outcrops. It requires you to climb and descent technical sections. As this race, organized by Grand Indian Trails, does not require a medical certificate, participants are asked to please understand and accept the risks of accidents that can be caused by the race. To be able to enjoy the race, it is recommended for participants to practice regularly.

The participants must meet the following criteria:

• You must be 18 years of age or older before Jan 25, 2026 to take part in 161K, 115K, 80K, 55K, 35K and 12 years of age or older to take part in 3K, VK, 15K & 21K.
• For registering for 35K, one must have completed a Half Marathon in 02:30Hrs.
• For registering for 55K, one must have completed a Full Marathon in 05:00Hrs or any Ultra Marathon within the cut-off time prescribed by the organisers of the race. For 12hr runs like stadium runs, one must have atleast run 50kms. 
• For registering for the 80K, one must have completed an Ultra marathon (atleast 60KMs) with a minimum elevation gain of 1000m within the cut-off specified by the organisers of that race. 
• For registering for the 115K & 161K, one must have completed an Ultra marathon (atleast 100KMs) with a minimum elevation gain of 3000m within the cut-off specified by the organisers of that race.
• Races run after 01-Jan-2025 will only be considered as a qualifying race for Deccan Ultra 2025. 
• There is no qualifying criteria for the 3K, VK, 10K & 21K categories.

Race schedule -

Saturday, 24th Jan 2026

9:00am – Bus leaves from Dadar (Cafe Coffee Day)

10:00am – Bus leaves from Andheri (Bus Travelers stop)

3:00pm – Reach Basecamp Waki Dam (Krushnavanti Base Camp)

3:30pm: Arrival at Base Camp and Tent allocation

03:30-5:00pm: Leisure time around the lake / Acclimatisation

05:00-05:30pm: Bib Collection / Evening tea and snacks

05:30–06:30pm: Race briefing & route introduction

07:00–08:00pm: Pre-race Dinner

Sunday, 25th Jan 2026

12:00am: Race Flag-Off 161km & 115km 

05:30-06:15am: Breakfast for rest of categories

06:30am: Race Flag-Off – 80km, 55km, 35km & 21km

07:30am: Race Flag-Off –3km 

08:00am: Race Flag-Off –15km & VK

09:30am: Cutoff for VK

11:00am: Cutoff for 15km

12:30pm: Cutoff for 21km

02:30pm: Cutoff for 35km

12:00-03:30pm: Lunch

06:30pm: Cutoff for 55km

08:00-10:30pm: Dinner and post-race party

5:00pm – Bus leaves from Basecamp “Waki Dam”

9:30pm – Drop at Andheri

10:30pm – Drop at Dadar

Monday, 26th Jan 2026

12:30am: Cutoff time for 80km

01:00am: Cutoff time for 115km

07:00am: Breakfast

09:00am: Cutoff time for 161km

10:00am – Bus leaves from Basecamp “Waki Dam”

02:00pm – Drop at Andheri

02:30pm – Drop at Dadar

Cancellation & Refund Policy

#Any cancellation will not be eligible for a refund or transfer to another runner under any circumstances, except if the event itself is cancelled. However, you may request to either carry forward your entry to the next edition of this race or transfer it to any future event in the Grand Indian Trails series. Such requests must be submitted via the email address provided below.

For More details:

Website: www.thedeccanultra.com

Email: contact@grandindiantrails.com

Contact: +91-9879113145