FAQs

There are two categories in Vadodara Ultra namely 25 kms and 55 kms. For 25 kms participants, you shouldn’t be scared of the distance. If you are a frequent runner of distances ranging from 15-20 kms, you should be fine.

But for 55 kms, you will run beyond the legendary 42.195 kms marathon distance and with the right combination of training as well as mental and physical fitness you can complete this race. Some participants will come with their own personal goal to achieve – maybe to finish an ultra race for the first time. For the more seasoned ultra-marathon competitors, the goal may be to finish in the top 10 or even win! The bottom line is that finishing a race or not is more or less head. It’d be best to clear your doubts and go forth. Here are a few pointers on how you can be well prepared:

1. Start by increasing a bit of your weekly training mileage. Go easy and progressively instead of suddenly running 20-25 kms at a stretch. Try and see if you can add a few extra kilometers to each of your long runs. Reaching the point where you will be able to complete 30-35 kms without stopping or suffering too much will show that you’re heading to the right direction. Remember that this should come as a progression over time, and even months to be realistic. No one should expect to be able to jump from practically nothing to finishing long runs every weekend! Doing so will automatically result in fatigue and probably injury. During the week, apply the same method: instead of only running 10 kms, increase the mileage and go for 12-15 kms each time.


2. Play with speed. Including speed into your routine will not only help you clock a faster time but it will also generally make you stronger and allow you, on race day to cope with all that the terrain will throw at you without suffering and slowing down too much (uphills, downhills, deep sand patches, rocks, etc.). This type of speed work doesn’t have to be fancy or scientific for you to start seeing results. For example, after a proper warm-up of 1-2 kms, accelerate for 400-800 m, cool down for 100-200 mts while walking or running slower and repeat five to ten times depending on your fitness. The rule is to keep the same exercise speed and recovery timings. The variations are infinite in terms of distance and repetitions.


3. Take rest. Nobody can perform without proper rest and too many athletes think they can go without it. Remember that taking proper rest is completely part of the training. Training with intensity without proper rest will lead to burn outs, demotivation and probably serious injury in the short, medium or long term.

Participants’ enjoyment is at the heart of our entire race, with runners’ safety taking priority at all times. Our medical teams are available from the moment you are in our care to ensure that you are fit to participate, maintain your health during the race and to help with the tough decision to withdraw from the race if such a situation arises.

The vast majority of the course, say 95%, will be run on single track trails only, but expect some challenging road type of trails too, with wider dirt roads that will test your might. These dirt paths are also more accessible by a vehicle in case of an emergency. There will be very little portions of road, broken tarmac mostly. Crossing a paved road, going through an aid station located at a crossroad, few hundred meters of paved road for accessing a bridge which will let you cross the river bed, are probably only real tarmacs you will encounter. Runners are expected to show respect to the private properties and cultivated fields they may cross.

There will be marking only for 25 kms participants. For 55 kms participants no marking at all! Meaning that you have to understand how your GPS works and follow its indications at all times. We will make sure before the race that runners understand how the device works. Don’t worry if you feel you’re not tech savvy, it’s easy! Feel free to ask us any questions if you do not understand (before the race).

The weather will legitimately be sunny with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees in the early morning. By mid-day you should expect running under 30-35 degrees.

Be prepared as there is a possibility of Rainfall at anytime, and anywhere!

For 25 kms there are no participation criteria, however it’d be great if participants of this segment have run a minimum of 1 half marathon. For 55 kms participants, having run a full marathon is a must and they must be able to produce a valid certificate of the same at the time of collecting their bibs.

Runner should be at least 18 years. We will consider application of younger runners (age not less than 16 yrs) if they are experienced and can present a note from their parents or legal guardians.

NO! For safety and insurance related issues, this will not be possible.

NO! Again for safety and insurance related issues, registrations will not be permitted on the day of the race. Register now on this website.

For 25 kms - 6 Aid Stations, 4-6 kms apart from one another.

For 55 kms - 13 Aid Stations 4-7 kms apart from one another.

Water, energy drinks, fruits, energy bars and medical aid. We strongly advise you to take along with you some food that you like and are used to running with. If you only rely on the aid stations, there’s a chance you may feel like the provided food is repetitive.

Mobile toilets will be available at the Base camp, Start point / Finish Point & at an Aid Station which is at approximately 13 kms mark.

Yes, there will be a medical team at the start, finish and at some specified aid stations. We will also have paramedics ready to help and of course a rescue team is also in place to be able to come get you should such a need arise. That being said, because this is trail running and not road running, some of the trails are not easily accessible and it will sometimes take time to come rescue you if you need it. We strongly recommend you to be self-sufficient in this area of expertise also, as much as you can: you must be confident enough to treat smaller emergencies on your own such as blisters, small cuts, rashes, sunburns…

We will give you emergency phone number(s) that will connect you to one of our medical team at all times. But be aware, at some portions of the race phones won’t get a signal. If you don’t feel right, don’t wait or be lost in the middle of the race, far away from everyone .The best idea would be to stop at the closest aid station.

Yes, transport to the base camp is included in the price of your registration. Kindly reach the venue an hour before the start of your race. This is important as instructions pertaining to the event will be announced during this time.

There is a bag drop facility at race start/finish. Organizer cannot accept responsibility for valuable things taken from bags so please do not leave valuables such as wallets, phones etc. in your bag.

It is hereby made clear that no refunds will be processed under any circumstances. The fees of any participant not able to compete in the race will be automatically transferred to the next year and will not be returned. Such transfer of fees will be carried forward only for the next event, and if the participant fails to register for the consecutive event, his/her fees will be forfeited. Furthermore, such participants must note that in case if the race fees increase in the next year, they will have to pay the difference in order to confirm their participation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST COMMUNICATE THEIR INTENTION OF CANCELLATION IN WRITING, VIA EMAIL ONLY. NO MESSAGES, PHONE CALLS OR OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED OR CONSIDERED AND NO TRANSFER OF FEES WILL BE DONE IN SUCH CASES.

Yes. We do have a cutoff time for all our races.

• 25 kms: 4.5 hours
• 55 kms: 10 hours

Intermediate Cut-off time

• For 25 Kms. Race
  • There is no Intermediate Cut-off for 25 Kms
• For 55 Kms. Race
  • Intermediate Cut-off is 6 Hours located at approximately 34 Kms.
  • Intermediate Cut-off is 8 Hours located at approximately 43.5 Kms.

• Running Bib
• Vadodara Ultra Tank-top
• Transfers to Race venue from Vadodara
• Water, energy  drink and fruits
• Food at Base Camp
• Pre-race breakfast
• Support team
• Medical staff
• Finisher's medal

• Personal expenses(drinks, food)
• Any personal equipment