Kalimpong Ultra Marathon is one of the most challenging yet scenic races in India. This year 450 participants came from all over India for this epic run.
On April 26, 2025, the Run with Roshni Foundation organized the third edition of the Kalimpong Ultramarathon. The event featured five race categories: 90 km, 65 km, 42 km, 21 km, and 12 km.
The 90 km, 65 km, and 42 km races were flagged off at 5:00 a.m. by the Chief Guest, Colonel Ritchie Ashwin S, Commanding Officer of the 18 Madras (Mysore) regiment. Prior to the start, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of the 26 lives lost in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, followed by the national anthem.
The 12 km and 21 km races were flagged off at 7:30 a.m. by Mr. Chewang Tamang, BDO of Pedong Block, and Mr. Laxuman Pokhrel, Officer-in-Charge of Pedong Police Station.
All races started and finished at St. George’s School Ground, Pedong Bazar. The turning points for each race were: Chummirchen for 12 km, Rikisum for 21 km, Lava for 42 km, Kuwapani for 65 km, and Phaperkheti for 90 km.
A total of 450 participants took part across all categories. Participants came from various parts of India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jamnagar, Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, and other regions.
Here’s a list of the winners
Winners of 90km in Female category
1st- Sunita Subba from Darjeeling
1st runner up -Dimple Bist from Delhi and
2nd runner up – Preeti Lala from Maharashtra.
Male winners in 90km
1st Pritam Rai from Sikkim
1st runner up – Bikram Thapa from Darjeeling and
2nd runner up – Rajneesh Kumar from Lucknow.
65km Female winners
1st Leera Rangnegar from Mumbai,
1st Runner up Jasuda Rai from Darjeeling and
2nd Runner up Janaki Venkat from Chennai.
Male Category 65km winners
1st -Runesh Tamang from Pala Kalimpong ,
1st runner up- Pempa Tshering Sherpa from Jalpaiguri and
2nd runner up- Subash Faujdar from Defence.
42km Female winners
1st Meena Kumari Subba from Sikkim
1st Runner up- Meenakshi Singh from Mumbai and
2nd Runner up – Jhilum Sarkaar from Kolkata.
Winners of 42km male categories
1st Prabal Chettri from Sangse, Kalimpong.
1st Runner up Milan Bhutia from Algarah and
2nd Runner up Karma Chewang Bhutia from Sikkim.
Winners of 21km Female Category
1st Khusbu Chettri, Algarah Higher Secondray School, Kalimpong.
1st Runner up Pratima Chettri from Algarah HS School, Kalimpong
2nd Runner up Karma Lakpaom Bhutia from Sikkim.
Winners of 21km male Category
1st Madan Bhandari from Kalimpong,
1st Runner up – Kinley Bhutia from Kalimpong and
2nd Runner up – Shivakumar from Defencet.
12km winners female Category
1st Nikhel Darjee from Grace English School, Pedong.
1st Runner up – Kritagya Mukhia from St. Xavier’s School, Pedong and
2nd Runner up – Sarita Tamang from Kalimpong.
Winners of 12km male Category
1st Ajay Bhujel, Kalimpong
1st Navin Bhujel, Kalimpong
2nd Rupan Bhujel, Kalimpong
The top three local male and female finishers (ages 17–25) from the 21 km race, along with the winner of the 12 km race (ages 14–16), have been selected to join the Run with Roshni Foundation team. They will be sponsored to participate in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026.
The prizes were sponsored by Bharat Rasayan Limited.
The Kalimpong Ultramarathon was attended by several notable guests, including Mr. Bharat Chettri (former captain of the Indian Hockey team), Mr. Kamal Subba (Sabhasad of Pedong), Mrs. Pushpa Subba (Chairperson, Panchayat Samiti), Mr. Zigten Bhutia, Rev. Sister Ragani Mondal (Principal, St. Xavier’s School, Pedong), Mr. Padam Bahadur Gurung, Mr. Nardhoj Rai, Mr. N.T. Lama, Mr. Prakash Chettri, Mr. Rupen Rai, Mr. Urgen Bhutia, and Mrs. Madhuri Mintri.
Mr. Satish Gujaran, the only Indian to have completed the Comrades Marathon (89 km) in South Africa, is the Race Ambassador for the Kalimpong Ultramarathon. He was honored with the Mount Everest Honour Award of INR 8,848.86—symbolizing the height of Mount Everest. The award was presented by Bikram Pande Kaaji (Concept Creator of the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon) through Miss Roshni Rai, Goodwill Ambassador of the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon for India.
The day after the marathon, several participants joined the Kalimpong Heritage Tour, which was specially organized for them. The event aims to promote Kalimpong as a tourist destination and support local homestays, especially in the Pedong area. All the Ultramarathon runners coming from different parts of India absolutely loved the Kalimpong Ultramarathon route.
Run with Roshni Foundation has been working since 2012 to promote local running talents. Many of its athletes have gone on to win marathons across India.
Corresponding with TheDC, Roshni Rai said, “I am most grateful to all the participants who came from far and wide. Kalimpong Ultra Marathon is one of the most challenging, yet picturesque run. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who volunteered for this good cause. The on-ground logistical support was provided by the 18 Madras (Mysore) regiment stationed at Dalapchand. Volunteers from Pedong Degree College and St. George’s School assisted with event coordination.
Additional support along the race routes came from Nava Jyoti Club, Chummirchen youth groups, Lava Sports Club, the Lava Self Help Group, and local residents from Kuwapani and Phaperkheti. I am grateful to all of them”.
Year-on-year, Kalimpong Ultra-Marathon is reaching greater heights and we thank and congratulate all the race organisers, participants and volunteers.
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