Ooty Ultra 2025 - 75K

My longest race became a memorable one

Ooty Ultra Race Summary

Distance: 75KM

Time: 11:00:38

Category Position (45+): 2nd

Overall Position: 7th out of 30

Elevation Gain: 2,154m

“What’s your strategy for the Ooty Ultra?” a fellow runner asked as he gave me a lift to the start point.

“I have no strategy,” I replied. “I’ll let the race and the course decide my pace.”

I’ve done a few ultras now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: no matter how well you train, race day has its own flavour. Sure, I had a goal time in mind. But I believe in surrendering — to the course, the terrain, the nature around me. I wasn’t here to conquer anything. I was here to run.

Training in Nandi

I had registered for Ooty even before running Tata Ultra. After a short recovery period post-Tata, I had three weekends to prepare specifically for hills.

My training plan:

• Weekend long runs at Nandi Hills (~30km)

• Afternoon runs to adapt to heat

• Weekly mileage of 70–80km (with ~30km on weekdays)

• Gym 2–3 times a week, focusing on legs and back

• Long runs without a hydration bag — I wanted to run light on race day

Into the Nilgiris

The first 2km take you out of Ooty and straight into the hills. By the 6th km, the course had already begun its steep ascent toward Doddabetta - South India’s second-highest peak.

At 10km, I reached the first peak — a Red Bull station waited at the top. Then came the downhill. I ran it without fear.

“If you fall, you’ll get up and run again,” I told myself.

By the time I touched 21km, things felt smooth — but the course had other plans. Another steep climb began, and the hairpin bends reminded me that Nandi is a child compared to these hills.

Still, my training helped. I walked, I ran, I did everything I could to get to the top and close my first 30km.

The next 10km were brutal — exposed roads, no shade, and the sun shining in full force. Thankfully, the temperature remained decent. After 40km, my entire focus became just one thing: reaching the next aid station.

My mind kept praying for downhills, but all I found were climbs.

For a while, I forgot what a flat road even looked like.

At 50km, I paused, patted my back, and thanked my father, Ramana, and Mahakal.

From there, every single kilometre felt like a bonus. A blessing.

I reached 60km at the top, and finally — a long, hard downhill for the next 10km.

I tried to pick up pace, but by then, my stomach had started acting up. Thankfully, nothing went wrong, and I kept moving.

Then came the final 5km — brutal, steep, relentless. But in my mind, I broke it down:

“Two aid stations… and then the finish line.”

That mental carrot worked. I kept going, kept pushing.

I reached the finish line — uninjured, calm, and an hour before the cutoff.

The 75km course is simple in design but punishing in reality — three long climbs, three equally long descents, and never-ending roads weaving through mist, sun, and the smell of tea.

What Worked for Me

• Mindset: I broke the run into chunks. After hitting 30km at Tea Point, I only focused on reaching 40km. Then 50. After that, one hydration point at a time. Every km after 50 felt like a blessing.

• Last 5km: A brutal uphill. I told myself: walk when needed, run when you can — just don’t stop. I found another runner, and we finished together, encouraging each other to the end.

• Hydration: I knew my body. I filled up regularly, skipped unnecessary gels, and stayed fueled.

• Inner Talk: At 40km, the mind whispered, “You’ve got another marathon to go.” I silenced it. “Let’s see every 5km at a time.” I never doubted I would finish.

• Peace: I ran with peace, through mist and sun, with the scent of tea all around. I didn’t feel like I was fighting the course — it felt like I belonged.

One Small Mistake

I stopped to buy a Mirinda can, and it threw off my rhythm for a few minutes. Thankfully, the next hydration station was just ahead and helped reset my focus.

Post-Race Silence

According to my watch, I covered 78km in just over 11 hours. I stopped the watch, picked up my medal and finisher tee, and immediately went looking for food.

There it was — rice, sambhar, sabzi. The kind of food I’d been craving for two days in Ooty. I ate quietly. And in that moment, I forgot I had just completed my longest-ever run.

That’s how life is sometimes. The biggest things pass quietly.

Recovery was smooth. Usual soreness in the thighs, but I was back in Bangalore the next day.

Sometimes, I look back and wonder if it even happened. But then I see my finisher tee — and I remember: It did. And to my surprise I also came second in 45+ age category which I was informed after a week post the race. Sweet surprise isn’t it?

I’ll return to Ooty again — for the green mountains, the quiet roads, and the beautiful race that now feels like a part of me.

Ooty Ultra is, without a doubt, my best road ultra experience in India.