Ooty Ultra 60K 2026 – A Journey Through Altitude, Effort, and Experience
🏁 Overview
📍 Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu
📅 Date: 22-March-2026
📏 Distance: 60 KM
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~2000 m
🛣️ Type: Road (High Altitude)
A return to Ooty Ultra — this time for my second 60K, with a simple goal: run better than last time. But beyond performance, this was about experiencing the journey more consciously — the travel, the people, and the moments around the run.
🚗 The Plan, The Group & The Drive
Ooty Ultra has slowly become more than just a race for us — it’s a ritual.
This time, we were a group of seven, travelling in two cars. The usual team — Suresh, Mey, Lucky, and myself — all signed up for the 60K. Joining us were KC, Kamlesh, and Arun, who were running the 15K.
Each one came with a different connection. Kamlesh is a childhood friend, Arun a colleague, and KC joined through Suresh. Over time, these races have quietly brought together people from different phases of life into one shared journey.
We started early — around 5:45 AM — from Bangalore. Since Suresh and I live close by, we began together, with Kamlesh and Arun joining us soon after. The rest of the group was picked up along the way, and before long, both cars were on the Bangalore–Mysore highway, heading towards Ooty.
🍽️ Breakfast Stop – Mysore
Our first proper halt was at GTR, Mysore, which has now become a familiar stop on this route.
We met Naveen and his team there — they were gearing up for the 75K, and it turned into a nice extended group catch-up before the race weekend began.
Breakfast was simple and perfect — idly, vada, dosa, and excellent filter coffee. Exactly what you need before a long drive and a long run ahead.
There was a certain calm energy at the table — part excitement, part focus — and a lot of quiet confidence across groups preparing for different distances.
Before entering the Bandipur forest stretch, we took a quick break for coconut water — a small pause before the long scenic drive ahead.
🏔️ Arrival in Ooty
We reached Ooty around 1 PM. Like previous years, we stayed at our usual place — Lake View. It’s a simple but comfortable stay, with good parking and enough space for a group like ours. Familiar places make race weekends easier.
After settling in, the first priority was food. Interestingly, this time there was a gas shortage due to the ongoing Iran conflict, and many places were using a combination of firewood and limited gas supply. As a result, food options were restricted and service was slower than usual. Still, we managed to get what we needed — and more importantly, the focus was now shifting from travel to race mode.
The hills, the weather, and the atmosphere had already started setting the tone for what was coming next.
🎟️ Bib Expo & Pre-Race Evening
After settling in, we headed to the expo for bib collection. The atmosphere was lively, with runners across distances gathering, catching up, and preparing for the race. The process itself was smooth, but what stood out more was the overall experience around it.
There were performances by a local army band, along with cultural performances by local artists, which added a unique energy to the evening. It felt less like a routine expo and more like a celebration of the event.
The race briefing by Coach Kay was clear and to the point — a good reminder of what the course demands and how to approach it.
One of the best parts of such events is meeting familiar faces. Over time, you start recognising runners across different events, and this was no different. It was good to catch up with a few friends — conversations that are always short but meaningful.
Fortunately, this year there was no rain, which made the evening more relaxed compared to previous experiences.
After the expo, our group stopped at A2B for coffee, and picked up some local Ooty biscuits — small traditions that slowly become part of the journey.
We then headed back to the hotel, keeping the evening simple and focused — preparing for the race ahead.
This year was also special because my school friend Dhiresh joined us at the hotel after travelling from Delhi for the event. Although he had been planning to run the 30K for the past couple of years, this time he finally made it.
Dhiresh, Kamlesh, and I grew up together in the hills of Kumaon, Uttarakhand, which made the whole experience even more meaningful.
🌅 Race Morning
Race morning in Ooty always carries a quiet energy. This year, the weather was not as cold as previous editions, which made things a bit more comfortable right from the start.
We woke up early and kept things simple. Pre-race fueling has become an important part of our routine, and this time we went with bun, peanut butter, and black coffee — something that worked well for us.
From our stay, we walked around 1.5 KM to the starting point at the Boat House Club. The walk itself felt like a gradual transition into race mode — runners moving in the same direction, small conversations, and a shared sense of anticipation.
Before the start, we deposited our mid-point drop bags, carrying spare clothes and essential nutrition for later in the race.
There was also time for a few quick photo sessions — meeting familiar faces, exchanging greetings, and capturing moments before the run.
The energy at the start line was infectious — a mix of excitement, focus, and nervous calm. And with that, we were ready to begin.
🏁 The Run
⛰️ Early Phase – The Doddabetta Climb
The first few kilometres were relatively easy — a flat road run, moving along with a large group of runners and soaking in the early morning energy around the Ooty market. There were cheerful locals, and the presence of police and administration throughout the route added a sense of safety and support.
Ar around the 4 KM mark, I stopped at the first aid station for some water and salted chips — and from there, the climb towards Doddabetta Peak begins, the highest point in the region.
The climb, combined with altitude, makes the effort immediately noticeable. Breathing gets heavier, and pacing needs attention. This time, however, the body responded better. The pre-race fueling helped, and the climb felt more manageable compared to previous experience.
I reached Doddabetta in around 1 hour 30 minutes, which was my target — and it felt good to stay on plan early in the race.
⚙️ Settling In
After the Doddabetta climb, the course this time had a noticeable change compared to previous editions.
Instead of heading towards the Tea Park, the route took a different direction — one that used to be part of the final stretch of the 60K in earlier years. This meant that right after the climb, we had a long stretch of downhill running, continuing until around the 21–22 KM mark.
Runners from the 30K and 50K category also joined along this section, adding more activity on the course. Despite that, the stretch was largely downhill, which helped in settling into a rhythm after the initial climb.
The body was still adjusting, but this section allowed for a more controlled effort. Instead of pushing, the focus remained on staying relaxed and letting the legs recover slightly while maintaining momentum.
Gradually, things started aligning better — breathing stabilised, rhythm improved, and the run began to feel more manageable.
🔥 Later Stages
As the race progressed, the course opened into long stretches of rolling hills — a mix of steep downhills and gradual uphills. Not sharp climbs like mountains, but continuous elevation changes along winding, spiral roads, often passing through stretches of tea gardens.
Most of this section was technically runnable, but not easy. The accumulated fatigue from earlier climbs starts to show, and even small gradients begin to feel demanding.
At one point, the route included a U-turn along the same stretch, which gave a different perspective of the course and a chance to see other runners coming through. This part of the race felt quieter. Compared to the early sections, you were mostly running alone, managing your own pace and effort.
Along the way, I crossed paths with Suresh, Mey, and a bit later Lucky near the U-turn — brief interactions, but enough to keep the connection alive through the race.
The weather remained supportive, which definitely helped, but the focus by now was clear — stay steady, conserve energy, and keep moving forward.
🏁 Final Stretch
The final stretch was about staying consistent and managing effort.
I maintained a steady pace and made good use of aid stations — especially enjoying the watermelon, which helped refresh both body and mind.
This time, I also carried some dry fruits like cashews and hazelnuts, along with roasted chana, which turned out to be quite useful. After consuming ORS and a few gels, the chana helped in balancing the palate and avoiding too much sweetness. I didn’t rely heavily on gels — probably around 4–5 in total.
The last 10 KM was a familiar section — a steady climb along the same route as previous years. By this point, the focus was simple: maintain a steady walking pace on climbs and run whenever the opportunity came.
It became a rhythm of small steps — one at a time, staying aware of breathing and effort.
I managed to finish in under 10 hours, which was close to a one-hour improvement over last year — a satisfying end to the run.
Meeting Coach Kay at the finish line was a really encouraging and happy moment, nicely closing the experience.
🤝 Post-Race Experience
After finishing, I spent some time around the finish area and soon met Suresh and Mey, both of whom had finished a bit earlier.
Lucky, our other ultra runner friend, was still out on the course at that point. I went for a quick massage, and by the time I was done, Lucky had also arrived — completing the run for our group. We then collected our medals, had some food, and settled into the usual post-race routine — conversations, recovery, and plenty of photographs with fellow runners and volunteers.
A special mention to the volunteers, especially from the Cisco Runners group — Madhav and Bala — who do an amazing job supporting runners throughout the event. Their energy and commitment really make a difference on race day.
🌆 Evening After the Race
The evening after the race was all about unwinding and spending time together. Along with our Bangalore running group, we had a wonderful time — relaxed, happy, and simply enjoying the moment after the effort of the day.
It was also special to spend time with old school friends from our home town, Berinag, Uttarakhand, who have been strong supporters of our community initiative, the Nag Devta Parikrama Run.
There was plenty of conversation, laughter, race analysis, recovery discussions, and of course plans for future runs. It turned into one of those evenings where the run slowly fades into the background, and what remains is the time spent together.
🌄 Next Day & Return Journey
The next morning was relaxed. We spent some time taking photos, enjoying the surroundings, and slowly preparing for the return journey. The drive back followed the same route — through Bandipur, with a stop at Mysore for lunch at coastal kitchen. And of course, picking up some Mysore Pak on the way back. We reached Bangalore by Monday evening, completing the full circle of the trip.
💡 Reflections
This run was not about chasing numbers. It was about running with more awareness — understanding effort, respecting the course, and adapting as the race unfolded. Ooty remains a demanding course — altitude, elevation, and long stretches of effort — but also one that keeps pulling you back. And maybe that’s the real reason we return. There is always scope for improvement, and I continue to work on it. Perhaps the next time, I return with a new challenge — maybe 75K. Till then, thanks for reading — and happy running!
🧠 Training & Preparation
My preparation this time was simple and consistent.
The last long event before Ooty was SRT Pune, and after that, I didn’t participate in any major race. Instead, I focused on regular training — short daily runs combined with walking, and longer efforts on weekends, usually going up to around 20 KM.
One of the key aspects of my training has been a run–walk combination, which works well for me, especially for long-distance efforts. More than intensity, I focused on consistency — showing up regularly and building endurance gradually.
I am not someone who strictly follows daily mileage targets. My strength lies in staying active consistently over time. Rather than stressing over training load, I focus on being active throughout the day and make use of even small opportunities.
I also follow some unconventional approaches — for example, using a backpack (a kind of rucking) during household activities to build back strength. Simple things like this help when dedicated training time is limited.
Along with that, I paid attention to strength and elevation training. Climbing stairs at home and office became a practical way to prepare for hill sections.
Nutrition-wise, I kept things very basic and sustainable — mostly home-cooked vegetarian food with eggs. I rely on natural protein sources like lentils, including black and white soybeans from my native region.
I also regularly consume soaked nuts — groundnuts, almonds, and raisins — often combined with a banana as a pre-workout meal.
And of course, black coffee remains a constant — especially after runs.
I also believe that in endurance running, it takes much more than just mileage. While mileage may work well for shorter distances, long runs bring a different set of challenges — ups and downs, long stretches of solitude, and phases where you are walking or even struggling to move forward.
Developing the mindset and strength to handle these phases becomes just as important as physical preparation. That is something I consciously try to build into my training.
Nothing fancy — just simple habits, consistency, and listening to the body.
🎥 Video Journey
A short video capturing our Ooty Ultra 60K 2026 journey — from the road trip and expo to the race, hills, tea gardens, and finish line moments.
📸 Photos
Some moments from a memorable weekend of running, conversations, mountains, friendships, and endurance.
🔗 Links
Thanks to all the runners whose pictures knowingly or unknowingly appeared in this post.
The aim of writing this blog is simply to preserve and revisit these memories and moments from the journey.
Feel free to reach out to me in case of any queries or if you would like to connect regarding running, endurance events, or community initiatives.
Thanks for reading till the end — and happy running!