If you are an adventure sports enthusiast, it would have occurred to you that trail runs and mountain biking activities have a great potential for growth in the city.
The concept of Bangalore Mountain Festival runs along similar lines — to raise the bar of existing runs and trails — giving rise to the toughest trail run, slated to take place on January 28 at Avati, Devanahalli. In a candid chat with the core members and participants, we follow this tough trail and find out what’s in store for the participants.
While the run and cross country in mountain biking is open to all, the other format in mountain biking downhill is open to mountain bikers who have been riding for a while and are professional downhill riders.
“The runners have to climb a total elevation of 250 meters in just 10 km. Normally, trail runs in India happen on existing jeep tracks. But in Europe, it’s different. It is more arduous and real. They build the tracks, which are single tracks with rocks, steep climbs, steep downhill, etc. At the Bangalore Mountain Festival, we are inspired by the same and aim to acquaint participants to the real stuff,” shares Sunil Nanjappa, race director, who also adds, “We build the track, which will challenge the participants skills. Our trails are just not about running, it’s about skills, concentration and eye and foot co-ordination. This is the reason we call it the toughest trail run.” The third edition, which is open to all ages, will have categories like 10 km and 12 km (open men and open women) run, cross country cycling (open elite and open amateur), and downhill cycling (for professionals.)
The outdoorsy Bengalureans’ excitement has piqued; the 16-year-old Rishabh Gowda, a professional cyclist and student from Presidency College, adds how his participation in the past two editions has inspired him to push his limits. “I’ve been participating in a lot of national level cycling gigs over the past two years. This is certainly one of the biggest stages for cyclists and people who believe in outdoor activities and adventure sports. Honestly, the competition was intense last year. Since there’s going to be people participating from across the country, I’m certainly prepared to hustle and give it my all. I don’t really know what to expect, but I’m planning on doing my best.” While it’s the sheer thrill to look out for what’s next, there are many who are result-oriented as well. Kiran Kumar Raju, a professional mountain biker who won in the cross country cycling category in the previous two editions is looking forward to defending the title yet again. “Yes, I’m hoping for a hat-trick yet again. From what I understand, there are a lot of young participants. I’m sure there’s so much of competition and excitement in the air, it’s during such fests that you can’t really be prepared and need to step up your game.”
For Preetham Kumar, an UX/UI consultant and a third time participant, this is the perfect time for the racing season to start and he’s raring to go and hustle through it all.” I’m pretty stoked to race here every year. Every year, they (the organisers) build the track making it tougher and tougher for participants, with lots of challenges like obstacles, technical sections, single tracks, switchback climbs and step down sections on the rocks. This time, I’m expecting even more tougher terrain to race,” he states. With a strategy in place, Preetham concludes how the trail offers due measures to place the safety and security of participants above all. “Doctors and an ambulance will be available on race day to support emergency situations. To get to this race, one needs to train hard. Focusing on long breaths, preparing your legs, gritty mental strength in detail. Organisers also provide buses from different parts of city for Trail Runners to get to the event in the early hours. Camping space is also available at the event for participants. For those who want to camp near the event, people can get their own tents and pitch it on top of the mountain with the beautiful Nandi Hills view in the background.”
