10th Tekion Edition

The Malnad Ultra is India’s largest trail ultra — a legendary running event set deep in the coffee-growing heartland of the Malnad region in South India. Now in its 10th edition, the Tekion Malnad Ultra 2026 takes place on Saturday, 28 November 2026 at GPL Ground, Mallanduru, Karnataka, offering trail runners four distinct categories — from 30 KM to 100 KM — across some of the most rugged, scenic, and challenging terrain in the Western Ghats.

This is not a city road race. The Malnad Ultra is a true wilderness trail experience — remote, demanding, and deeply rewarding for those who earn their finish.

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Event Overview

Event: 10th Tekion Malnad Ultra

Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026

Venue: GPL Ground, Mallanduru, Karnataka

Organised by: GIREM

Registrations Open: 1 August 2026

Registrations Close: 1 November 2026 (or when category caps are reached)

Qualification Deadline: 7 November 2026

Email: run@malnadultra.com

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About the Course

The Malnad Ultra course is laid out in the heartland of Indian coffee country — the Malnad region of South India. Expect dense forest trails, significant elevation gain and loss, remote terrain, and the kind of natural beauty that only a trail runner gets to experience up close.

All categories start and finish at GPL Ground, Mallanduru. The 100 KM is two loops of the 50 KM course, and the 50 KM Day and Night editions share the same course — only start times and cut-offs differ.

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Race Categories

30 KM Trail Run

Start: 7:30 AM | Cut-off: 6.0 hours (End: 1:30 PM) Elevation: +/- 951 metres ITRA Points: 1 | Cap: 400 entries

Designed for first-time trail runners and regular hikers. Runners who have completed a few half marathons on road are well-suited for this category. The 6-hour cut-off may appear comfortable, but the rugged terrain will test many participants.

Qualification — meet any one:

• Previous Malnad Ultra participant (any edition, any distance, started the race)
• Sub 2:30 half marathon (21 km) at an officially timed event in 2026
• Non-zero ITRA Performance Index (provide your ITRA ID)

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50 KM Trail Run — Day Edition

Start: 7:00 AM | Cut-off: 10 hours (End: 5:00 PM) Intermediate Cut-off: 38 km checkpoint by 3:00 PM Elevation: +/- 1,705 metres | (USD 44) ITRA Points: 2 | Cap: 400 entries

Designed for regular marathoners and experienced hikers. No special equipment required as the course is mostly non-technical.

Qualification — meet any one:

• Previous Malnad Ultra finisher (any edition, any distance)
• Sub 5:30 full marathon (42 km) at an officially timed event in 2026
• ITRA Performance Index > 275 (provide your ITRA ID)
• Finished a trail run of 30 km or more within cut-off in 2026
• Completed a 50 km stadium run within 7 hours in 2026

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50 KM Trail Run — Night Edition

Start: 4:30 PM | Cut-off: 11 hours (End: 3:30 AM, 29 Nov) Intermediate Cut-off: 38 km checkpoint by 1:30 AM Elevation: +/- 1,705 metres |ITRA Points: 2 | Cap: 100 entries

For experienced runners who want the thrill of night trail running or prefer cooler temperatures. Also ideal for runners who want to pace a 100 KM participant through their second loop. Headlights or hand-held flashlights are mandatory.

Qualification: Same as 50 KM Day edition.

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100 KM Ultra

Start: 6:30 AM | Cut-off: 21 hours (End: 3:30 AM, 29 Nov) Intermediate Cut-offs: 50 km loop must start by 4:30 PM | 88 km checkpoint by 1:30 AM Elevation: +/- 3,410 metres | ITRA Points: 4 | No entry cap

The ultimate endurance challenge at Malnad. Two full loops of the 50 KM course through the night. Headlights or hand-held flashlights are mandatory. Finishers in this category are eligible to apply for the Western States 100 (WSER) 2028 lottery.

Qualification — meet any one:

• Previous Malnad Ultra finisher in 50 KM or higher category
• Completed two sub-5:30 full marathons (42 km) at officially timed events in 2026
• ITRA Performance Index > 375 (provide your ITRA ID)
• Finished a trail run of 50 km or more within cut-off in 2026
• Completed a 75 km stadium run within 11 hours in 2026

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Registration Caps — Secure Your Spot Early

Registrations open at midnight on 1 August 2026 and close on 1 November 2026 or when caps are reached — whichever comes first.

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Key Dates

Bib pickup also available on race morning at the start area. Arrive at least 90 minutes before your start time. Bibs will only be handed to the registered participant.

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On Race Day

• Hot breakfast or lunch provided to all participants at the start area
• Aid stations and water points positioned across the course
• Baggage facility available at the start/50 km mark for 100 KM runners
• Physical course markers take precedence over GPX files

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Qualifications — Important Rules

• Qualification proof must be submitted as an online link to official event results only
• PDFs, screenshots, and self-supported run records are not accepted
• Deadline for submission: 7 November 2026 via email to run@malnadultra.com
• Entries without qualification proof by the deadline will be cancelled with no refund
• Not sure if you qualify? Email the team before registering for confirmation

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Affiliations & Recognition

The Malnad Ultra is a proud member of the South India Trail Grail — a six-event trail series across the Western and Eastern Ghats. Complete four 50 KM+ distances across these events between 2025–2027 to earn a special badge of recognition.

The event is also listed on the ITRA Race Calendar and UTMB Index, and the 100 KM category qualifies runners for the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) 2028 lottery.

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Register for The Malnad Ultra 2026

Registrations open 1 August 2026. The 30 KM and 50 KM categories have entry caps and will fill up — register early.

run@malnadultra.com

Organised by GIREM | Title Sponsor: Tekion

**Disclaimer: While we aim to provide accurate, timely event information, all details, including date, venue, category, and race logistics, are subject to change by the official organizers. Please verify the latest information through the official event channels before registering or participating.