La Ultra - The HIgh

55 | 111 | 222 | 333 | 555 kms

1 | 2 | 3 | 5 MOUNTAIN PASSES - 17,400+FT

MINUS 10C - 40C

I along with a friend, Melvin, came up with this concept in 2009 after having attempted Manali to Rohtang Pass and being humbled by the massive but gentle Himalayas. In the very first year, there were too many well-intended experts who ended up being nay-sayers, and that's what excited me about it.

Why do it if it is easy?

Since 2010, along with my band of crazy friends, have put together 10 editions of La Ultra - The High attracting some real nut-case runners from across the world. At last count we've had runners from 24 countries take part.

Besides runners and crew members from around the world, this race has attracted international film makers. In the last 10 editions, 6 documentaries have been made on this one race, of which 5 have been by teams from US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The original distance was 222 kms which experts across the table said was impossible. Too many started finishing it, so we decided to increase it to 333. But we noticed that no Indians were coming. We needed a stepping stone for Indian runners, hence we came up with 111 kms. But it was yet too far for most new runners and even those who were doing full marathons (42.195 kms) regularly.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, we decided to have a one-off 555 kms since La Ultra - The High was supposed to be be the cruelest ultra marathon on planet Earth, a celebration of human capabilities, pushing the physiological and psychological limits.

. We wanted a lot more runners to come along and witness what extra-ordinary feats were being achieved by ordinary human beings. the impossible and . After a lot of deliberation, we decided to introduce a category which would open this race to running enthusiasts to whom La Ultra - The High would have forever been only a dream. This led to the birth of 55 kms at La Ultra.

We all have our own La Ultras, no matter what distance, or how high. To me, like all other participants of the race, everyone at the start line of 55 is a champion. Hence, I’ll be blogging each one of theirs journey, with a lot of help from them.

In 2012, we oragnised the first Mussoorie Half Marathon in collaboration with Mussoorie Writers and Hanifl Centre for Outdoor & Environmental Study (dedicated in 2003) at Woodstock School. 

In 2015 we started with Garhwal Runs, a 74 km run from Dehardun to Dhanaulti, as a qualifier for 111 km race at La Ultra - The High. This year's edition saw a 16 year old local girl from Dehradun run the distance in 10 hrs 47 min.

Dr Rajat Chauhan, our founder, was introduced to running at Wynberg-Allen School, Mussoorie, in 1985, the biggest learning he ever got in his life. To thank his alma-mater, to re-introduce ex-students to running and expose current students to how to push their limits to perform at their optimum levels, in 2016, in collaboration with Wynberg-Allen School, we organised Wynberg-Allen Half Marathon.

First edition of Tough Enough 10k is planned for 14th May 2017. Click here for more details. 

squats uni-v-arse record

On 30th May (Saturday) is the next take of Squats Uni-V-Arse Record. It’s not exclusively limited to any one group but open to everyone. Anyone and everyone can join. It’s not a challenge or record against anyone else but against your old self. the intent is to become better than what you were yesterday.

We’ll start at logins at 5:30 pm, warm up will start at 5:45 pm and squats will start at 5:55 pm.

1 min squats - 1 min rest - repeat.

We’ll squat from 5:55 pm to 7:06 pm, a total of 1:11 (1hr 11min aka 71 minutes). Of course, it’s democrazy and anyone can do anything they desire but what we are suggesting is 1 min of squat followed by 1 min of rest. That’ll make it 36 sets of 1 minute squats. Even if you were to do 30 squats per set, you would have done over a thousand squats, a number most wouldn’t have otherwise imagined they could reach.

The Sneh Lata

Walk With Your Parents

By the time we realise what we had, it is past tense…

My mom passed away on 15th October 2019. No matter how much I want to, I can’t spend even one more moment with her ever again. But most of you can. Come out on 5th January 2020 not so much for physical activity but more for showing them that you care, that you are there for them the way they have been. All they want is a moment of your time.

On 5th January 2020 at GMR Aerocity Delhi, on occasion of my mom’s first birthday since her passing away, we are putting together the first edition of ‘The Sneh Lata Walk With Your Parents’. You, your parents and rest of your family will be our guests, hence registrations are free along with free t-shirt, family photos and whatever kind hearted people like yourselves volunteer to give away. We yet need you to register as we need to plan accordingly.

It took that shock for me to realise how each moment spent with your loved one should be cherished and not taken for granted. This initiative is intended to be a global movement to remind us all what should matter most to us.

GMR Aerocity Delhi have been very kind to help with the venue and the whole event. T-10 has agreed to give t-shirts. Printo, like always, has my back. They’ll be giving away Family Photos as memory to all the participants. Thanks a million miles all.

Running in India is not yet even in it's adolescence but unfortunately running community throughout the country has become very fragmented. No one owns running but at the same time it comes naturally to all of us. It's time to reclaim it. 

Below is the program for the festival.

The idea behind putting together iRun Festival is to get all stakeholders in running, from runners, to anyone catering to them in anyway whatsoever, on one single platform, where everyone can talk and listen to others as equals. Because running is a great leveller where caste, creed, rich or poor are of no consequence. All are equal and all can take part in it. It’s also far beyond just winning medals. 

iRun Festival will have running documentaries from around the world and India along with panel discussions with the very best influencers in the running world.

Below is the trailer to iRun Festival.

We started a series of FacebookLive sessions which is a precursor to the festival. The guests are influencers in running who have led the running movement in india. 

If age, gender or knee pains stop you from running or being more physically active, check out this FBLive with Christine Pemberton.

Here is FBLive with a Shweta and Akshay, a couple that literally ran into each other and then decided to tie the knot.

FBLive with Anupriya Kapur, the mom on the run, who has inspired thousands of mothers, women and even men to get active. 

FBLive with the couple behind One Race Human Race, an amazing concept.

FBLive about Running amongst Kids 

Harsheath talks about his journey in tackling and overcoming bullies of different kinds by becoming more physically active. 

FBLive with Balance expert Dr Kshitij Malik.

Are your kids not able to keep up with you while walking? Play sports but keeps getting injured? I'll be in conversation with Jeevan Aujla, founder of Decode Strength + Conditioning.

The very first FBLive session introducing iRun Festival. Chetan Sehgal is the man behind the scenes.