Garhwal Post Bureau
Mana Village, Chamoli, 21 Jun: The founding edition of the Mana Pass Challenge concluded successfully at Mana Village, marking a significant milestone for adventure sports and extreme-altitude endurance events in Uttarakhand. The event was organised by Sarmang Society in collaboration with the Ibex Brigade of the Indian Army, with support from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Participants from Mana Village, defence establishments, and various parts of Uttarakhand took part in the event. Runners from different age groups successfully completed the challenge, showcasing determination and resilience in one of the most demanding high-altitude environments in the country.
A total of 88 participants completed the event, which was conducted on the historic Mana Pass Road beyond Mana Village, India’s First Village. The route traverses a rugged Himalayan landscape featuring dirt tracks, loose stones, water crossings, snow patches, glacier sections, and ongoing road construction zones.
The 50K, 10K and 5K events started from Devtal on the Mana Pass Road at an altitude of approximately 5,600 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest road racing events in the world. The 50K, 10K and 5K races were flagged off by Colonel Shivesh Tiwari, Commanding Officer, 7 Assam Regiment.
Although the event was conducted as a non-competitive endurance challenge, several participants delivered remarkable performances in the extreme environment. Jyoti Fartiyal completed the 50-kilometre challenge in 5 hours and 55 minutes, while Major Pratiyush Negi completed the same distance in 6 hours and 10 minutes, demonstrating exceptional endurance at high altitude.
All finishers were awarded commemorative medals by Colonel Shivesh Tiwari, Dharmendra Chauhan, Gram Pradhan of Mana Village, and Anil Mohan, Founder of Sarmang Group.
The Mana Pass Road is one of the most significant mountain roads in India. Rising to approximately 5,600 metres above sea level, it is the highest road in Uttarakhand, India’s third-highest road, and among the world’s highest motorable roads. The region holds immense strategic importance as a border area and is also deeply connected to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage through nearby landmarks such as Badrinath Dham, Mana Village, Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bheem Pul, Vasudhara Falls, and the Satopanth route.
Historically, the route served as an ancient trade corridor between India and Tibet and today forms part of the Government of India’s Vibrant Village Programme, aimed at strengthening border communities and promoting sustainable development in remote frontier regions.
The Mana Pass Challenge is part of the Summit or Surrender – Extreme Altitude Himalayan Race Series, an initiative by Sarmang Society to promote responsible adventure tourism, endurance sports, and awareness about India’s remote Himalayan regions. The series also includes the internationally recognised Ladakh Umlingla Challenge, held on the world’s highest motorable road.
Speaking after the event, Anil Mohan, Founder of Sarmang Group, said that the successful completion of the founding edition demonstrates the immense potential of Uttarakhand’s border regions for adventure tourism, endurance sports, and experiential travel. He emphasised that the event seeks to showcase the natural beauty, strategic significance, cultural heritage, and tourism potential of the Mana region while encouraging responsible participation in mountain environments.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, local administration, residents of Mana Village, volunteers, medical teams, and all participants whose support and cooperation ensured the successful conduct of the event.
With the successful completion of its founding edition, the Mana Pass Challenge is expected to emerge as a flagship high-altitude endurance event of Uttarakhand and further strengthen the state’s position as a premier destination for mountain sports, adventure tourism, and Himalayan exploration.
