New in 2025

We are constantly trying to improve the Malnad Ultra experience and do our best to incorporate changes from the feedback that we receive. Many of us are runners ourselves and we are always on the lookout for best practices when we go to other events. Here are some changes that we will incorporate into our 2025 edition.

50 Km Night Edition

We are offering a 50 Km Night Edition!

Over a third of our participants are returing from previous editions and are seeking new experiences at our event. We have introduced a 50 Km Night category with a 4:30 PM Start Time in order to provide an opportunity for those runners who want to experience the thrill of running in the night without extending themselves to run 100 Km. Our event is also two nights after a New Moon this year! As a result, night runners can experience the amazing night sky in almost full darkness.

Some of our lady runners have requested for the provision of a pacer in the night. We have synchronised the 50 Km Night start with the second loop of the 100 Km so that runners can plan for a companion during the night as they run the second loop of their 100 K!

Lower Registration Fees

Yes, we are lowering our Registration Fees!

The Malnad Ultra is a not-for-profit venture driven by volunteers and we are committed to keeping it this way. We anticipate slightly lower costs this year since we are going to reuse signage and other material from the fresh batch that we made last year. As a result, we have reduced our registration fees by INR 500 in all categories.

South India Trail Grail

We are pleased to collaborate with five other marquee trail ultras in South India to form the South India Trail Grail. Participants must finish a 50KM or higher category in four out of these six events over 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons to make the honour roll. Details available here.

The Six Events that are part of this effort are:

  • Jawadhu Hills Ultra (01 Nov 2025)
  • The Malnad Ultra (22 Nov 2025)
  • Ultribe Paderu (06 Dec 2025)
  • SRT Ultra (13 Dec 2025)
  • Vayalada Ultra Trail Run (14 Dec 2025)
  • Vagamon ULTrail (10 Jan 2026)

Accommodation List

We have scouted the area around our event and compiled a list of accommodation options near our Start/Finish area. The list along with contact information is published on our site for your convenience .

GPX Files

We will provide GPX files to assist runners with their navigation this year.

We have not shared GPX files of our course in past editions for two reasons a) they possibly provide an advantage to runners with GPS watches  b) we wanted to reserve the right to make last minute changes to the course because local conditions can change overnight due to inclement weather or animal movements.

We have used the current course for the last two editions and are now fairly confident that we will not be forced to make changes to the course at the eleventh hour. We have also observed that a majority of runners in the 50 and 100 Km category possess a GPS watch. Needless to say, it is much safer for a runner to have an additional guidance tool. As a result, we will publish GPX files of our final course well before our event to help participants plan their run and navigate with more confidence on the course.

As in the past, we will also provide course markers for those that do not have GPS watches. We do ask our participants to follow the course markers as primary navigation and rely on the GPS watch as a backup.

In the Works

From the feedback received last year, we are working on the following items and hope to have solutions before this year’s event:

  • Local Transfers: Since Chikkamagaluru town is reasonably well connected by public transport, we are in touch with local bus operators to provide transfers from Chikkamagaluru to Mallanduru (our event veue)