Q1. How do I register for the Surya Spiti Marathon 2026?

• Register online at www.suryaspitimarathon.com/register. Select your preferred race category, complete the registration form, and proceed to payment. Your registration is confirmed only upon successful payment.

Q2. What race categories are available?

There are four race categories:

• Kunzum La Challenge (77 KM) — Flagship ultra for elite and experienced ultra-runners only. Route: Kunzum La to Kaza.
• Surya Spiti Full Marathon (42 KM) — Full marathon through the Spiti River valley. Route: Sumdo – Giu – Hurling – Sumdo.
• Surya Spiti Half Marathon (21 KM) — On the Indo-Tibetan border approach. Route: Kaurik – Lepcha – Sumdo.
• Surya Spiti 10K Highland Dash (10 KM) — Gateway race for all levels. Route: Sumdo – Sugar – Sumdo.

Q3. Can I change my race category after registering?

Deadline: 30th June 2026

• Yes, category changes are permitted up to 30th June 2026. Send a written request from your registered email address to suryaspitimarathon@gmail.com. If you are upgrading to a longer race, additional fees will apply. No category changes will be accepted after the deadline.

Q4. Can I transfer my registration to someone else or defer it to next year?

No Deferral Policy — No Exceptions

• Transfer to another participant is permitted only up to 30th June 2026. Send a written request from your registered email to suryaspitimarathon@gmail.com. Deferral of registration to a future edition is not permitted under any circumstances, regardless of the reason for non-participation.

Q5. Who qualifies as an “Armed Forces” participant?

• The Armed Forces category includes personnel from: Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State Armed Police Forces. All others compete in the Open Category. Armed Forces participants do not compete in age-group categories.

Q6. Is attendance at the pre-race briefing mandatory?

Compulsory — Missing it may result in denial of participation

• Yes. Attendance at the pre-race briefing is compulsory for all participants. Missing the briefing may result in being denied participation on race day. Details of the briefing time and venue will be communicated to all registered participants in advance.

Q7. What is the cancellation deadline and how do I cancel?

Deadline: 30th June 2026

• Cancellations are accepted only up to 30th June 2026. Send a written request from your registered email address to suryaspitimarathon@gmail.com or fitizenindia@gmail.com. Verbal or telephonic requests will not be accepted. After 30th June 2026, no cancellation or refund request will be entertained — no exceptions.

Q8. How much refund will I receive if I cancel before the deadline?

✓ Partial Refund Available on or before 30th June 2026

• Cancel on or before 30th June 2026 → 70% refund. A non-refundable processing fee of 30% is retained. Refunds are processed after 30th June 2026 — not immediately upon submission of a cancellation request. Please allow adequate processing time.

Q9. Will I get a refund if I cannot participate due to injury or illness?

No Refund — Personal Reasons Are Not Eligible

• No. The registration fee is non-refundable if you are unable to participate due to personal reasons — including injury, illness, travel disruption, work, or family emergencies — regardless of when this occurs or how serious the reason. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel and adventure sports insurance that covers trip cancellation before completing your registration.

Q10. What if I am medically denied on race day — will I get a refund?

No Refund

• No refund will be issued if you are found medically unfit and denied participation during pre-race screening or bib collection on race day, or if you are medically withdrawn from the course by race officials or medical staff during the event.

Q11. What if I do not show up on race day or forget to collect my bib?

No Refund — DNS and Bib Collection Failure

• No refund is issued for DNS (Did Not Start) scenarios, including failure to show up on race day or failure to collect your race bib from the Expo or registration desk.

Q12. Can I get a refund if the organisers cancel or postpone the event?

• The organisers reserve the right to cancel or postpone the event due to adverse weather, safety concerns, government orders, or force majeure events. In such cases, the applicable policy will be communicated to registered participants. Participants are advised to refer to the full Terms & Conditions at www.suryaspitimarathon.com for complete details.

Q13. Is a medical certificate mandatory?

Mandatory — Must Not Be Older Than 30 Days from Bib Expo Date

• Yes. All participants must carry a Medical Certificate issued by a registered doctor. The certificate must not be older than 30 days from the date of the Bib Expo. You will be required to present it at bib collection. Failure to produce a valid certificate may result in denial of participation with no refund.

Q14. Do I need to disclose pre-existing medical conditions?

• Yes. You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions during registration and at the pre-race medical screening. This includes, but is not limited to: heart conditions, lung conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and any previous episodes of altitude sickness. Failure to disclose is a safety risk and may result in disqualification.

Q15. Is insurance mandatory? What should it cover?

Mandatory

• Yes. All participants must purchase adventure sports insurance before the event. The policy must cover: • High-altitude running and trekking • Emergency evacuation • Hospitalisation. All medical costs are the sole responsibility of the participant. The organisers will not cover any medical expenses. Participation without adequate insurance is entirely at your own risk.

Q16. How early should I arrive in Spiti for acclimatisation?

Strongly Recommended: Arrive at Least 1 Week Before Race Day

• Participants are strongly advised to arrive in Spiti Valley at least one week before race day to allow adequate acclimatisation to the high altitude (3,800–4,500+ metres). Failure to acclimatise sufficiently significantly increases the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and may result in medical denial on race day. Visit www.suryaspitimarathon.com/acclimatization for a full acclimatisation guide.

Q17. Can I use supplemental oxygen during the race?

Strictly Prohibited — Instant Disqualification

• No. Using supplemental oxygen during the race is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification with no refund. Supplemental oxygen may only be administered by authorised medical personnel in a genuine medical emergency.

Q18. What is the cut-off time for crossing the start line?

• Runners must cross the start line within 10 minutes of the official start time to be eligible for chip timing, rankings, and prize money. Runners who miss this window will not receive an official timing result and will not be eligible for prizes or rankings.

Q19. What actions lead to instant disqualification on race day?

Instant Disqualification — No Refund

• You will be disqualified immediately and without refund for any of the following:
  1. Exchanging or transferring your race bib with any other person

  1. Short-cutting the race course or skipping any checkpoint or timing point

  1. Littering or causing damage to the environment

  1. Receiving unauthorised pacing or outside support

  1. Boarding a support vehicle or ambulance during the race

  1. Using supplemental oxygen during the race

  1. Engaging in abusive, unsafe, or unethical behaviour

  1. Voluntarily withdrawing from the race (DNF — Did Not Finish)

  1. Violating any race rule or the Code of Conduct

Q20. Can I have a pacer or support crew during the race?

Unauthorised Support = Instant Disqualification

• Pacing and outside support are not permitted unless explicitly authorised by the race organisers. Being accompanied by an unauthorised pacer or support person during the race will result in immediate disqualification with no refund.

Q21. What happens if I miss a timing mat or checkpoint?

• If you miss any timing point — including the timing mats at the start and finish gates — your performance will be considered incomplete. No official timing or ranking will be generated, and you will not be eligible for prize money. All participants must pass through all official timing points.

Q22. What are the environmental rules during the race?

Instant Disqualification — No Refund

• The Surya Spiti Marathon is held in a pristine Himalayan environment. All participants must:
  1. Follow a strict Leave No Trace policy — carry all waste to designated bins. Littering is a disqualifiable offence.

  1. Respect local villages — dress modestly, seek permission before photographing residents, and show respect at all religious and cultural sites.

  1. Follow all instructions from race officials, medical staff, and course marshals at all times.

Q23. Can the organisers change the route or cancel the race?

• Yes. The organisers reserve the right to modify race routes, timings, categories, or rules at any time. The event may also be cancelled or postponed due to adverse weather, safety concerns, government orders, or force majeure events. All such decisions are made in the interest of participant safety and are final.

Q24. Who is eligible for prize money?

• Prize money is applicable to participants in both the Open and Armed Forces categories. Total prize pool for Surya Spiti Marathon 2026: ₹30 Lacs+

Q19. What actions lead to instant disqualification on race day?

Instant Disqualification — No Refund

• You will be disqualified immediately and without refund for any of the following:
  1. Exchanging or transferring your race bib with any other person

  1. Short-cutting the race course or skipping any checkpoint or timing point

  1. Littering or causing damage to the environment

  1. Receiving unauthorised pacing or outside support

  1. Boarding a support vehicle or ambulance during the race

  1. Using supplemental oxygen during the race

  1. Engaging in abusive, unsafe, or unethical behaviour

  1. Voluntarily withdrawing from the race (DNF — Did Not Finish)

  1. Violating any race rule or the Code of Conduct

Q20. Can I have a pacer or support crew during the race?

Unauthorised Support = Instant Disqualification

• Pacing and outside support are not permitted unless explicitly authorised by the race organisers. Being accompanied by an unauthorised pacer or support person during the race will result in immediate disqualification with no refund.

Q21. What happens if I miss a timing mat or checkpoint?

• If you miss any timing point — including the timing mats at the start and finish gates — your performance will be considered incomplete. No official timing or ranking will be generated, and you will not be eligible for prize money. All participants must pass through all official timing points.

Q22. What are the environmental rules during the race?

Instant Disqualification — No Refund

• The Surya Spiti Marathon is held in a pristine Himalayan environment. All participants must:
  1. Follow a strict Leave No Trace policy — carry all waste to designated bins. Littering is a disqualifiable offence.

  1. Respect local villages — dress modestly, seek permission before photographing residents, and show respect at all religious and cultural sites.

  1. Follow all instructions from race officials, medical staff, and course marshals at all times.

Q23. Can the organisers change the route or cancel the race?

• Yes. The organisers reserve the right to modify race routes, timings, categories, or rules at any time. The event may also be cancelled or postponed due to adverse weather, safety concerns, government orders, or force majeure events. All such decisions are made in the interest of participant safety and are final.
  1. Age-group prizes are determined based on net finish times only.

  1. Overall prizes are determined based on chip finish times only.

  1. The Armed Forces category does not participate in age-group categories.

Q25. Are race day results final?

Results Announced on Race Day Are Provisional

• Results announced on race day are Provisional and subject to verification. Final results will be published on the event website after the protest and appeals period has elapsed.

Q26. Is prize money subject to tax?

• Yes. All prizes are subject to applicable taxation under Indian law. Prize winners will be required to submit valid identity proof, age proof, and complete all required formalities before disbursement. The organisers reserve the right to withhold payment pending completion of verification.

Q27. How do I file a protest about race results?

Protest Deadline: Sunday, 6th September 2026 — Email: fitizenindia@gmail.com

• Any confirmed participant may file a protest regarding official race results, including overall or age- category finish positions. The process:
  1. Send an email to fitizenindia@gmail.com

  1. The protest must be received on or before Sunday, 6th September 2026

  1. A jury will deliberate and deliver a decision within 14 working days of receiving the protest email

  1. The decision of the Event Organiser is final and binding on all parties

Q28. Can I request a correction to my timing result?

Timing Correction Deadline: 15th September 2026 — Email: fitizenindia@gmail.com

• If your timing result requires an update due to an error in gender or age category, write to fitizenindia@gmail.com no later than 15th September 2026. Include the nature of the edit required and attach relevant supporting documents. Requests received after this date will not be entertained.

Q29. What happens if I exchange my bib or submit fraudulent documents?

Severe Penalties Apply

• Bib exchange: Immediate disqualification, forfeiture of all timing and prize money, and a permanent ban from all future editions of the Surya Spiti Marathon.
• Fraudulent documents: LIFETIME BAN from all future editions of the Surya Spiti Marathon.

Q30. Where and when do I collect my race bib?

• Bib collection takes place at the Bib Expo before race day. You must bring your valid Medical Certificate (not older than 30 days), identity proof, and any other documents requested by the organisers. Full details of the Bib Expo schedule and location are available at www.suryaspitimarathon.com/bib- collection

Q31. How do I get to Spiti Valley?

• The nearest major city is Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, Spiti Valley is accessible by road (approximately 12–14 hours). Detailed travel guidance, route maps, and transport options are available at www.suryaspitimarathon.com/how-to-reach

Q32. Where can I find accommodation in Spiti?

• Accommodation options in and around Kaza and Sumdo are listed at www.suryaspitimarathon.com/accommodation — Participants are advised to book well in advance, as accommodation capacity in the valley is limited during the event period.

Q33. Will my photos and videos be used by the organisers?

Yes. By registering, you grant the organisers irrevocable permission to use your name, photograph, video footage, and race performance data for promotional, media, and broadcasting purposes. Your race results will be published on the official event website. Medical information may be shared with emergency responders if required during the event.

Q34. What is the legal jurisdiction for disputes?

All disputes arising from participation in the Surya Spiti Marathon 2026 shall be subject to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Courts of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Q35. Who do I contact for further queries?

• Email: fitizenindia@gmail.com
• Email: suryaspitimarathon@gmail.com
• Website: www.suryaspitimarathon.com/contact
• Instagram: @suryaspitimarathon
• Phone: +91 9833111510