Event Overview
| Date | Oct 29 - Nov 2, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Maneybhanjang, near Darjeeling, India |
| Format | Stage Race |
| Terrain | Mountain |
| Region | Asia |
| Distance / duration | 100 mi over 5 stages |
| Course model | Mixed |
| Edition note | ITRA lists 2026 as the 35th edition. The five race stages run October 29 to November 2, 2026, inside an eight-day package that starts at Bagdogra airport on October 27 and ends there on November 3. The package costs USD 1,998 per person in a shared room, plus USD 470 for a single room. A non-refundable USD 625 deposit holds a place, and the balance was due by August 31, 2026. The organizer’s FAQ gives September 15 as the last date for registration, so contact the organizer before planning a late entry. ITRA lists the course as 153.36 km with 7,009 m of climbing and a 50-hour limit. The organizer’s stage distances add up to 100.4 miles, and its stage climbs add up to 5,973 m. |
| Elevation gain | 5,973 m by the organizer’s stage figures (ITRA lists 7,009 m) |
| Elevation loss | 5,925 m by the organizer’s stage figures (ITRA lists 7,004 m) |
| Cutoff | No stage cutoffs. On Stage 3, runners on the long route must be able to reach Rimbik by 4:00 PM, before dark. ITRA lists a 50-hour overall time limit. |
| Start | 7:30 AM Thursday, October 29, at Maneybhanjang (Stage 1). The organizer says later stages start between 6:00 and 8:00 AM depending on weather and distance; Stage 2 starts at 6:30 AM. |
| Field size | Up to 70 people on the trip, according to the organizer’s FAQ. ITRA also lists 70 participants for the 100-mile race. |
| Highlights | Five Stages, 100 Miles, Everest and Kanchenjunga Views |
Himalayan 100 stages in 2026
Stage dates, routes and distances for the 100-mile race from the organizer’s 2026 schedule and itinerary, with climb and descent from its FAQ and the matching 100 K stage distances.
| Stage | Date | Route | 100 mile | Climb / descent (100 mile) | 100 K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Thu, Oct 29 | Maneybhanjang (6,600 ft) to Sandakphu (11,815 ft) | 24 mi | +2,526 m / −972 m | 22 km to Gairibas, then jeep to Sandakphu |
| Stage 2 | Fri, Oct 30 | Sandakphu to Molle (11,655 ft) and back | 20 mi | +1,074 m / −1,074 m | 16 km, to Chandu Lake and back |
| Stage 3 | Sat, Oct 31 | Sandakphu to Molle and Phalut (11,380 ft), back to Molle, then down to Rimbik (6,350 ft); same day as the Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon | 26.4 mi | +1,127 m / −2,735 m | 22 km, Chandu Lake to Rimbik after a jeep ride |
| Stage 4 | Sun, Nov 1 | Rimbik to Palmajua (6,560 ft) on a rural road; bus back to Rimbik | 13 mi | +526 m / −442 m | 21 km |
| Stage 5 | Mon, Nov 2 | Palmajua to Maneybhanjang (6,600 ft); awards that evening in Mirik | 17 mi | +720 m / −702 m | 19 km, from Dhotre |
The five stage distances add up to 100.4 miles. On Stage 3 the 100-mile runners go 10 miles to Molle, 4 to Phalut and 4 back to Molle before the descent. ITRA lists the 100-mile race at 153.36 km with 7,009 m of climbing, and the 100 K at 97.62 km with 4,142 m. The organizer’s FAQ gives average stage times of about 8, 6, 9, 4 and 5 hours for the 100-mile stages.
Sources: Official 2026 schedule; Official 2026 detailed itinerary; Official 2026 Himalayan 100 K Stage Race schedule; Official FAQ with daily elevation figures; ITRA: Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race 2026; ITRA: Himalayan 100 K Stage Race 2026.
Recent Himalayan 100 winners
Men’s and women’s winners of the two most recent editions, from the organizer’s results, press release and race report.
| Year | Edition and dates | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34th, Nov 9–13 | Anton Schaefer (Germany), 18:54:00 | Janet Payne (UK), 30:39:00 |
| 2024 | 33rd, Nov 10–14 | Chris Lemke (Germany), 17:39 | Alice William (UK), 21:35 |
In 2025 Tigaut Geyns (Belgium, 23:01) and Christopher French (USA, 24:50) completed the men’s podium, and Petra Jantschitsch (Austria, 33:15) and Louise Johnson (USA, 34:18) the women’s. For 2024 the organizer’s race report gives Alice William 21:35, while a Press Trust of India report reposted on the organizer’s site spells her name Alice Williams and gives 21:30.
Sources: Official 2025 results; Official 2025 press release; Official 2024 race report; Press Trust of India 2024 report, reposted by the organizer.
Course & Terrain
Five daily stages that start and finish at Maneybhanjang (6,600 ft). Stage 1 climbs the jeep road along the India–Nepal border to Sandakphu (11,815 ft). Stage 2 is an out-and-back to Molle, and Stage 3 runs to Phalut before dropping about 4,000 ft through forest to Rimbik. Stages 4 and 5 follow rural roads via Palmajua back to Maneybhanjang. The separate Himalayan 100 K Stage Race, added in 2022, runs shorter versions of the same five stages.
Key course features to know before comparing this race:
- Sandakphu (11,815 ft) with views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga
- Jeep road built in 1948 that marks the India–Nepal boundary
- Phalut turnaround (11,380 ft) and the 4,000 ft descent to Rimbik
- Sandakphu National Park, villages and the river crossing at Siri Khola
A mix of road, cobbled jeep track, stone paths and rough trail. The organizer says Stages 1 and 5 can be run in road shoes and recommends trail shoes or light hiking shoes for the rest. Below Molle on Stage 3 the trail becomes steep and deeply rutted. Stage 4 is a paved but rough rural road that drops to about 4,975 ft before climbing to Palmajua. Poles are recommended but not required.
The organizer’s FAQ gives Sandakphu temperatures of 5 to 10°C by day and −1 to 5°C at night, and 10 to 25°C at the lower overnight stops. Mornings are usually clear, and cloud often rolls in after noon. Rain is possible, and the organizer says snow has fallen at Sandakphu twice when the event ran after the first week of November.
Entry & Logistics
| Registration and fees | Check the official event website for current availability, deadlines, prices, taxes, and refund terms. |
|---|---|
| Qualification | No qualifying race. The organizer says anyone who is physically fit and running regularly can enter any distance, and runners can switch to a shorter event during the trip. There are no age limits. UK runners book through the organizer’s UK agent, 2:09 Events. |
| Support model | Aid stations come about every 2 miles on Stage 1, every 4 miles out to Molle on Stage 2, at 13 water stops on Stage 3 and every 3 to 4 miles on Stage 5. The organizer lists bottled water, bananas, boiled potatoes, black salt, glucose biscuits and energy powder. Jeeps support Stages 1 and 2, doctors and medics travel with the race, and at least one staff member stays on the trail with every runner still out after dark. |
| Crew / pacers | There is no personal crewing. Friends and family can come as registered walkers, who follow a shorter walking program with guides and jeep rides. People who are not on the trip are not allowed into the race’s huts, lodges or hotel. |
| Drop bags | The organizer’s FAQ says drop bags are available on every stage. Personal baggage moves by jeep to Sandakphu and Rimbik, with porters or mules on the walkers’ route, and reaches Rimbik in the late afternoon. |
| Logistics note | Fly to Bagdogra airport and arrive by 1:00 PM on October 27, when buses take the group about 1.5 hours to Mirik Lake Resort. The package covers seven nights (Mirik, mountain huts at Sandakphu and lodges at Rimbik), meals, transfers, a Darjeeling day trip, race entry and support. It does not cover international or domestic flights, Indian visa fees, insurance or tips. Bring a sleeping bag for the huts, and carry your passport during the race, because it may be checked at several points. The return transfer reaches Bagdogra at about 11:00 AM on November 3. |
Why This Race Matters
Race director C. S. Pandey of Himalayan Run & Trek started the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race in 1991, and the organizer describes it as the first locally organized, high-altitude, multi-day stage race in India’s northeast Himalaya. The route follows the ridge along the India–Nepal border to Sandakphu, where the organizer says Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga, four of the world’s five highest peaks, can all be seen. Stage 3 doubles as the Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon. The 2026 race is on the IAU ultramarathon calendar and on ITRA. The organizer puts the experience ahead of racing: there are no age limits and no stage cutoffs, and participants have ranged from 12 to 76 years old.
Historical benchmark notes in the directory record (verify current records with the linked official sources):
- Course record, men: Christian Schiester (Austria), 14:43, 2004.
- Course record, women: Lucinda Brooks (UK), 16:17, 2005.
- Fastest Stage 1 running time: 4:00, according to the organizer’s itinerary.
- 2025 winners (34th edition): Anton Schaefer (Germany), 18:54:00, and Janet Payne (UK), 30:39:00.
Preparing for a Race Like Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race
The stage race guide covers the format as a whole. These guides go deeper:
- Stage race packing list: Mandatory kit, daily carry, camp bags, food and foot care.
- Walking strategy for ultramarathons: When and how to walk by terrain, effort and cutoffs.
- Hydration and sodium for ultramarathons: Fluid, sodium, thirst, sweat rate and hyponatremia risk.
- Blister prevention: Socks, taping, lubrication, shoe fit and hot spots.
Best Fit
- Runners who want a fully supported first multi-day race at altitude
- Groups that mix runners, walkers and non-running partners
- Runners who care more about mountain views than finishing times
Planning Notes
- Study the mandatory gear list early and rehearse carrying the exact pack weight you expect to use on race day.
- Train for terrain-specific fatigue. Technical trails and mountain courses demand downhill durability, hiking efficiency, and reliable night lighting.
- The directory marks this as having comparatively simpler logistics. That editorial label is not a safety rating; verify cutoffs, terrain, support, crew access, and withdrawal procedures.
- Two nights at 11,815 ft at Sandakphu; the organizer monitors fluids on Stages 1 and 2 to limit altitude sickness
- Cold nights in basic huts at Sandakphu, with no showers
- The organizer and ITRA give different distances and climb for the course
- The organizer requires medical and accident insurance because a helicopter rescue is not always possible
Event FAQs
When is the Himalayan 100 in 2026?
The five stages run from Thursday, October 29 to Monday, November 2, 2026, with Stage 1 starting at 7:30 AM at Maneybhanjang near Darjeeling. The package trip runs October 27 to November 3, from and back to Bagdogra airport, with two days in Mirik before the start.
Is there a 100 K version of the Himalayan 100?
Yes. The Himalayan 100 K Stage Race, added in 2022, runs on the same days with stages of 22, 16, 22, 21 and 19 km, using jeep or bus transfers to skip parts of the 100-mile route. Its package price is the same. The Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon on October 31 is also sold as its own trip.
Are there cutoffs, and can slower runners or walkers take part?
The organizer sets no stage cutoffs and no age limits, and runners can mix running and walking. The one firm limit is on Stage 3, where runners on the long route must be able to reach Rimbik by 4:00 PM, before dark. ITRA lists a 50-hour overall limit. Staff stay with any runner still out after dark, and non-runners can join as walkers on shorter routes.
How much does the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race cost?
The 2026 package costs USD 1,998 per person in a shared room, plus USD 470 for a single room. It covers seven nights from Bagdogra back to Bagdogra, meals, transfers, race entry and support. Flights, visa fees, insurance and tips are extra. A non-refundable USD 625 deposit holds a place.
Related Preparation
- Compare this race in the full 2026 calendar
- Browse the multiday stage-race calendar
- Open the Stage Race format guide
- Compare all race formats
- Use the timed-race pace calculator
- Plan checkpoint arrivals and cutoff buffers
- Build a crew and drop-bag plan
- Build a race-specific gear checklist
Verification & Sources
Verification scope: the listed edition's date, location, format, and available logistics were checked against the event-specific official sources below during the directory review dated October 20, 2026. Organizers can revise details after review.
- Official Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race page — https://himalayan.com/events/himalayan-100-mile-stage-race
- Official 2026 schedule — https://himalayan.com/schedule.html
- Official 2026 detailed itinerary — https://himalayan.com/events/detailed-itinerary
- Official 2026 package cost and payment terms — https://himalayan.com/events/himalayan-100-mile-stage-race-package-cost
- Official FAQ — https://himalayan.com/faq
- Official Himalayan 100 K Stage Race page — https://himalayan.com/events/himalayan-100-k-stage-race
- Official overall course records (HSR and ECM) — https://himalayan.com/page/overall-course-record-hsr-ecm
- Official 2025 results — https://himalayan.com/page/timechart-himalayan-100-mile-stage-race
- Official 2025 press release — https://himalayan.com/page/press-release
- Official 2024 race report — https://himalayan.com/blogs/event/race-report
- IAU race calendar, India listings — https://iau-ultramarathon.org/race-calendar/?race-country=India
- ITRA: Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race 2026 — https://itra.run/Races/RaceDetails/117082
- Multiday Running event directory review scope: October 20, 2026.