Clear
ANSWERS.

FAQ

Qualification, timelines, race logistics, planning in one place.

check here first

FAQ's answered.

click a button below for related topics

How can I contact you? I need to discuss my situation with a human being.

You can contact us via email . We typically respond to emails within 24 hours.

If you want to discuss something, we will schedule a call with you. Please send us a request via email.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I have an emergency and need to speak to someone in your team urgently. Do you have a phone number?

We will publish a mobile number for emergencies during our event. During any other period, please drop us an email.

Please note that the Admin on our WhatsApp community will only moderate the group for messages that do not conform to our policies. We will not respond to individual queries sent to WhatsApp admin.

Top of Section

Top of Page

When and where can I see official event results?

Our official results will be published on our web site by December 3rd. The delay is due to the fact that our team returns to Bengaluru and reliable networks only by December 2nd after cleaning up the course.

Results can also be viewed on our Timing Partner web site and the ITRA Web Site about a week later.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Do I get photos from the event? Where can I see them?

Like everybody else in the organising team, our photographers are volunteers who have day jobs and other commitments. They typically capture over 15,000 photos during the event. It will take around three weeks for them to process and organise race photos because they can only work on them in their personal time. Our photographs will be published on Flickr after tagging with Bib Number.

Top of Section

Top of Page

What is South India Trail Grail?

Six marquee trail events across South India have collaborated to offer an exciting circuit of trail runs called the South India Trail Grail. To complete this circuit, runners must finish any four 50 KM+ distances across four different events between 2026 and 2027 season.

Malnad Ultra is a founding member of this group. Details on the SITG Site.

Top of Section

Top of Page

How does WSER qualification work?

WSER is a very popular race and prospective participants must enter a lottery system to get a spot. 

Our 100 KM finishers qualify for the WSER lottery in 2028. This is because the qualification window for 2027 ends on November 8 (before our event).

Top of Section

Top of Page

How difficult is your race? What are the historical completion rates?

Our course is challenging, but mostly runnable for trained athletes. It is non-technical and does not require any special shoes or gear.

Our completion rates are historically around 65% in the 100 KM, 85% in the 50 KM and over 90% in the 30 KM category.

Past results can be viewed on our Timing Partner's Site. Choose the Year and use the search string "Malnad" to find our event.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I don't understand your registration process. Should I register first and then submit eligibility?

We have a two-step entry process:

Step 1: Fulfil Entry Criteria
Step 2: Online Registration

Both these steps must be completed before an entry is accepted for participation in our event although you can complete these steps in any order.

Since we have a limited number of entries in our 30 KM and 50 KM categories, we allow prospective participants to complete their registration prior to fulfilling their eligibility criteria. Think of this as a 'pre-booking' to hold a spot until proof of qualification is submitted. Registration fees must be paid during registration and these are non-refundable, non-cancellable and non-transferable in the event the individual cannot meet our eligibility criteria by November 7th.

Participants who have registered without submitting eligibility proof, can send us an email from their registered email IDs with their qualification proofs before November 7th.

However, if you are ready with your eligibility, you can provide the information during registration in the fields provided for that.

Top of Section

Top of Page

What is the reason for eligibility criteria? After all, I am entering your event voluntarily and assume all the risks associated with it.

As responsible organisers, we have to take all necessary measures for your safety. Large sections of our course are not accessible to vehicles and we have to be reasonably sure that our participants have trained adequately to handle the rigours of the course. This is for your safety.

Top of Section

Top of Page

How strict are you about eligibility? I have run many events in the past years and am very experienced. I have only not been able to attend a running event in 2026 due to my tight schedules. However, I am trained adequately.

We are strict because we attempt to gauge the current levels of training and endurance of our participants and the only way that we can do this is by requiring participants to have completed events in recent months.
In a few cases, we might accept results which are just outside our timelines. For example, we may accept a 100 KM entry, if one FM was completed in December of 2025 and the second FM is in 2026.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I have read your eligibility criteria and I am not sure whether my entry will get accepted. What should I do?

If you are not sure whether you meet our eligibility criteria, we recommend that you email us prior to registration. This will allow you to safely register without the risk of losing your fees due to our non-cancellation policy.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Since you allow registrations prior to eligibility, how should I submit my proof of qualification after completing my registration?

Yes, we do allow prospective participants to register and hold a spot prior to submitting proof of qualification. You can choose the field "I will send via email by November 7th" during registration and then drop us an email with your eligibility proof before November 7th from your registered email ID.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Will you give me a refund if I register and don't qualify?

We have a no-cancellation, no-refund and no-transfer policy. Therefore, if you are not sure about meeting our requirements before our deadline, we suggest that you do not register until such time that you have met our eligbility requirements.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Can I downgrade to a lower category if I cannot meet the requirements for my registered category? I have registered for 50 KM but I could not complete a Full Marathon as required by you in order to qualify. Can I downgrade to the 30 KM?

Yes, we allow downgrades until our registration deadline of November 1st. However, you will still need to meet the eligibility criteria for this downgraded category.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Why do you require a unique email ID and mobile number for each registration?

All our official communication is via email and, in certain urgent situations, via your mobile number. Official results are also published to this email ID and via a SMS to the mobile number. As a result, we require a unique email ID and phone number.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I am unable to complete my registration because a previous attempt failed. Now I am getting an error that my email ID is already registered. What should I do?

You can drop an email email to us and we will delete the existing record in our system so that you can try registration again.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Why do you only accept online links to results? Can I submit a completion certificate in PDF or Strava?

In the past, we have encountered a few entries that tried to provide 'fake' results by doctoring PDFs or by submitting false Strava activities. From this experience, we have now changed our policy to accept only online links to results pages from other events. This is unfortunate, but we are forced to take this stance.

We are aware that some events only provide completion certificates as a PDF and do not have online results. We are familiar with the major events that do this and, in such cases, we will accept PDFs. However, we will verify the PDF by contacting the organiser of that event.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Is there any prize money for top finishers?

No! The objective of our event is to promote trail running in an inclusive manner. We are a non-competitive event and celebrate all runners that show up.

All finishers will get a finisher medal, an online timing certificate, and hopefully, some bragging rights!

Top of Section

Top of Page

Do you offer group registrations and discounts?

No, we do not offer any discounts or group registrations. We are a not-for-profit-event and we depend on our registration fees to conduct the event. Our fees are estimated based on the costs that we expect to incur on the event.

All participants must register individually even if they belong to a larger running group.

Top of Section

Top of Page

How much of your course is trail?

Over 90% of our course is considered trail. Our course is a combination of estate roads and walking paths with a few sections of tarmac to connect sections.

The Malnad region is undergoing rapid changes and many roads are being constructed under a flagship government scheme. As a result of this, we might see some of our currently mapped course covered under the scheme. This is beyond our control and we will do our best to find alternate routes, if necessary.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Is your course going to be the same as 2025?

Yes, we will be using the same course that we have used over the last two years in 2024 and 2025. As always, we reserve the right to make minor changes due to on-ground conditions just before the event.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I have some questions about race day. How can I contact you?

We have published a comprehensive Race Guide that has all the information that you need about our event. We request you to spend a few minutes reviewing this information before writing to us. Our event is organised by volunteers and we are trying to manage our team's workload.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I cannot make it on Friday to collect my bib. Can I collect it on Race Day?

Yes, you can collect your bib from our Helpdesk in the Start Area. We request you to come 90 minutes before your start to avoid unnecessary stress due to congestion.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Can I request my friend or running group to collect the bib on my behalf?

No! We will only hand over the bib to the registered participant after verification of identity and returning signed indemnity form. This is a legal requirement since your indemnity  and release form cannot be signed by somebody else.

Top of Section

Top of Page

What IDs do you accept? Can I show digital ID?

You can show any Government approved ID in physical or digital form before collecting your bib.

Top of Section

Top of Page

How do I reach your event?

Please spend a few minutes on our trip planning page for this information.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Can I bring my family and friends to the event?

Yes, you can bring a reasonable number of family and friends to cheer you at the event. Please note that guests will have to remain in our Start/Finish area and will not be allowed on the course. They have access to our dining area at no additional cost.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Do I need trail shoes for your event? Any other technical gear?

Our course is non-technical and does not need any special equipment other than headlights (for night runners). We do not have any recommendations for footwear and can only recommend that you use footwear that you have tried in training on trails.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Are trekking poles allowed?

Yes, trekking poles are allowed.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Can I leave multiple bags or a large suitcase in the baggage area?

Yes, you can leave multiple bags and/or a large suitcase in our baggage area. However, we request you to be mindful of the limited space that we allocate to baggage and think about sharing this space with fellow runners.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Does it get very cold? Can I expect rain?

Weather is unpredictable in the Malnad region and you could get cold nights, hot days and rain all on the same day. Please take a look at our live weather link in the Race Guide.

Top of Section

Top of Page

My family is concerned about my participation in your event. Can I give them any contact information on Race Day?

We will publish an emergency mobile number that will be active during the event. However, mobile networks are unreliable in the area and it is best that you set proper expectations with them about your safety.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I am a vegan. Is your menu vegan friendly?

Our menu is published in the Race Guide and we do have some items that are vegan. However, our kitchen is mixed and we do not guarantee or label any of our dishes as vegan specifically.

Our menus are all vegetarian and dishes could contain onion, garlic and other vegetables that might not work for you. Please check with the folks managing the food counter at the event.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Is your event pet friendly? Can I bring my dog with me?

Dogs and other pets will not be allowed on the course. However, you can bring your pet to the Start/Area if somebody else will be with them at all time. You will have to ensure that your pet does not enter the dining and medical area and is reasonably well-behaved.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Is there a wildlife threat at the event?

Our course is within a few Kms of Bhadra Wildlife Reserve, and animals do occasionally come into the estates. Although unlikely due to the large movement of people during the event, there is always a remote possibility of encountering wildlife. Please review the Safety section of our Race Guide for details.

Top of Section

Top of Page

Why do you have a rigid policy on cancellations/transfers/refunds?

We are a not-for-profit and volunteer-driven event. Being non-commercial in our outlook, we plan our budgets and registration fees in such a manner that we barely cover our costs. We also do our best to keep our costs low so that the event is affordable to more runners.

Over 70% our budget is spent and paid out on the day that we open registrations as advances to a variety of vendors.

As a result, we have a no-refund, no-transfer and no-cancellation policy. The only exception that we allow are for ladies who request a deferred entry due to a pregnancy.

We understand that injuries and other unplanned situations arise and that you might not be able to participate in the event due to unforseen circumstances.  We request prospective participants to consider our policy prior to registration.  No matter what the situation is, we will not refund fees, allow transfers to other runners or deferral to future editions. In the worst case, think about your fees as a contribution to our event if you cannot attend.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I had a serious injury (or any other medical condition) in training. I can produce a medical certificate. Please allow me to cancel and give a refund.

Injuries are part of our lives, especially with runners. Our policy holds and we cannot give you a refund, or transfer your registration to someone else or defer your entry to another year.

You can consider downgrading to a smaller distance if that is possible. If not, consider your fee as a donation to the good cause of supporting trail running.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I will not be able to attend due to a pregnancy. Can I get a refund?

Firstly, congratulations and best wishes to you!

We can defer your entry for up to two years as we support the SheRaces charter. Please drop us an email request.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I am not familiar with the Malnad region. How should I plan my trip?

Our event is located in a rather remote region and we understand that there are concerns and anxiety over travel and accommodation. We have compiled a lot of information to help you with your planning in another area of our site.

Top of Section

Top of Page

How can I join your WhatsApp community?

Please check your registration email for information along with an invite link to join our WhatsApp community for participants. If you cannot find it, please drop us an email from your registered email ID and we can add you. Do remember to share your WhatsApp number in the email.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I am a single woman coming to your event. Can you help me with travel and accommodation?

Please use our exclusive WhatsApp community to find other ladies coming to our event and see if you can pair up with them. If you cannot find a solution, please consider the Adventra runcation Package. Details are available in the trip planning area of our site.

Top of Section

Top of Page

I am an international participant and have a lot of questions. Please help me.

International participants can drop us an email for assistance. We will help you as best as possible with planning your itinerary and other information.

Top of Section

Top of Page

next >> learn about our race

Understand race categories, route character, course profiles and eligibility criteria.