Ooty Ultra 30k: Where Mountains get precedence over anything

By: Santosh Srinivas

Publised Date: 20th July 2024



You can never dictate over the nature especially to the mountains. You either conquer with you all that you have got or die in the process. There is no other way out.


Ooty Ultra being one such races in the country which is hyped and is for real. Non Ultra distance categories like 15k and 30k can be considered as Ultras given the elevation they hold within their distances i.e 500mtr and 900mtrs rescpectively.

This race was not in my list until it just happened to fit into my calendar at the cery last moment.

Signed up just like that knowing that I will surely give a try and survive a few miles atleast. Training for this was out of question as I just completed a run from Pune to Panchgani in a Team relay format a couple of weeks prior covering 120kms within 14 hours. But before signing up I was fully aware of the Elevation I had to encounter during the entire 30k stretch which is in two parts of 7kms each and had an Elevation of approx 450 mtrs.

Surprisingly Ooty was way much warmer than usual and it wasn’t an ideal condition to run any distance longer than a 5k. Being considered as one of the tough races of the country, the crowd was humongous. This race generally has a late flag off time at 6:30 irrespective of harsh sun gracing the runners. All the runners get to enjoy the intial 4km stretch which is flat until reality double crosses you.

Next 7kms is an insane incline to the Doddabetta Peak which is also the 2nd highest peak in the state(you run out of energy mid way itself). But somehow successfully executed the plan of 400m:100m run/walk statergy and stuck to it for this entire climb. Glad to manage it.


Comes next is a 12km decline which are very steep in nature and a mindful steps need to be put(inclines never do any harm but the declines can turn the tables), ran most of it but still needed a few walk breaks to make sure the ankles are not stressed out and the legs still can pull a few good miles under the belt.

At the 23rd km, the last section of the race commences with an incline of 500mtrs approx and for 7 kms upto the finish line. You either choose to keep it simple with one foot over the other or throw in the towels to call it a DNF(you get to pick one only). Now the sun is also on the top and chooses to suck you out to the core. Though the aid stations have everything you need but you aint going any further until you decide to crawl to the finish point and actually start moving.

Finally, crossed the Finish line with 04:07:18 moving time and 4:23:17 including the aid station breaks gave a sense accomplishment which cannot be measured instrumentally.

Having said all the above, this race has got the most scenic views all throughout the course. Be it the talls pine trees while climbing the peak, the country side view, the city landscapes, forests, tea estates; name anything and you will find it.


Am I doing this again? Definitely coming back to this brute and gruelling race cause the endorphins released are unmatchable and the challenging terrain gives the best Runners High.

Gears Used:
-Shoes: Puma Nitro Deviate 2
-Hydration Vest: Kiprun by Decath(very spacious for soft flask, gels, salt tabs and other essentials as required).
-Watch: Coros Apex(pre feed the route map)
-5 Gels
-2 Salt caps

Things learnt during those 4 hours: “In the face of Defeat, let Perseverance be your guide.”



Your Comments Will will inspire me to write more such articles


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