The Himalayan Expeditions (THE) is organizing ‘Silk Route Ultra Trail 2024’ from Narkanda to Sarahan from 12th to 14th April, 2024 in which trail runners of national and international repute were participating. It is worth mentioning here that SVEEP activity for Lok Sabha Elections-2024 has also been associated with this event, in which runners will make people aware to vote.
The trail was jointly flagged off from Narkanda today by Additional Deputy Commissioner Shimla Abhishek Verma and District and Sessions Judge Rampur Birendra Thakur. Abhishek Verma said that this event was very important as it combines adventure activity as well as tourism, old Indo-Tibet route and SVEEP activity. While this activity will promote adventure sports and tourism on one hand, the old traditional Silk Route (old India-Tibet route) will be rejuvenated on the other hand.
Similarly, under the SVEEP, the runners will motivate people to vote in 30 panchayats falling under the trail. Apart from this, school going children were also participating in this trail which will be a source of inspiration for the youth and others. District and Sessions Judge Rampur Birendra Thakur also addressed the participants present and gave them detailed information about the drug and its side effects.
This trail will provide runners with challenging and interesting opportunities on the old India-Tibet trade route. This trail run, its fourth edition so far, will pass through the pristine and wild terrains of the Himalayas, giving an exciting experience to the participants and spectators.
The event will have four challenging categories, including tracks of 100 km, 55 km, 33 km and 15 km. All categories will start from Narkanda with the 15 km trail concluding at Bagi and the 33 km trail concluding at Lafughati. Similarly, 55 km trail will be completed in Naren and 100 km trail will be completed in Sarahan.
Around 190 participants are taking part in this competition, which includes participation from the Indian Armed Forces as well as trail runners of national and international repute and around 80 school children (who will be participating in the under 18 age category). The flagship race in the Silk Route Ultra Trail 2024 is the one-day 100km Ultra Trail Marathon.
This prestigious ultra trail race will pass through the ancient Indo-Tibet road, which was full of difficult and rough rocky roads and provides a challenge to the runners. During this competition, the participants will test their mental strength along with their physical abilities. Participants will travel through the paths followed by ancient traders and explorers, which was once the oldest and most mysterious trade route in the Himalayas.
For the safety of the participants, the organizers of The Himalayan Expedition have painstakingly identified and marked this trail, which will start from Narkanda, Shimla at 5.30 am on 13th April. The competition will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony on 14th April. The Himalayan Expeditions' 'Silk Route Ultra Trail' aims to encourage adventure sports and highlight the cultural and historical significance of this ancient route, fostering a sense of partnership between participants and visitors.
Apart from this, the objective of the program is to get the eligible young voters registered in the voter list under SVEEP and to motivate the voters to exercise their vote. On this occasion, Sub Divisional Magistrate Kumarsain K.K. Sharma and other distinguished guests were also present.