FAQs

Bison Ultra is held at the scenic Gowri Estates, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India (approx 20 km from Yercaud Town). The venue offers a mix of challenging trails, lush greenery, and panoramic views of the Eastern Ghats.

Important: The latest qualification rules and cut-offs are published on our Terms & Conditions page — that is the source of truth.

For the most accurate criteria per distance (including intermediate hard cut-offs and qualification window), refer to race categories, entry qualification & cut-off in the T&Cs.

For qualification-based categories, if valid qualification is not submitted and accepted by 10-May-2026, the entry will be cancelled on 11-May-2026. Any applicable refund will be processed only as per the T&C refund policy; the older automatic downgrade-to-18K practice does not apply this year.

See the Distances page for a high-level overview.

If you lack official race results we may accept a self-supported qualification run recorded on a valid GPS device that includes heart-rate data. Submit Strava/Garmin links to us for review.

An administrative fee of Rs. 300 + 18% GST applies if we agree to a manual review. We recommend getting approval before purchasing an entry.

If valid qualification is still not submitted and accepted within the Qualification Window, the entry for that qualification-based category will be cancelled on 11-May-2026, and any applicable refund will be handled only under the T&C refund policy.

The TTCW (Ticket Transfer and Change Window) permits transfers and category changes subject to published deadlines, verification of the transferee's qualification, slot availability, and applicable fees.

• Downgrade: no charge within TTCW.
• Upgrade: pay the difference in entry price if you meet qualification criteria.
• TTCW closes: 10-May-2026. Changes after this date attract a fee of Rs. 500 + 18% GST.
• No cancellations are allowed from 28-May-2026 onwards.

Write to info@bisonultra.com from your registered email address. See the full charges table in Terms & Conditions.

Yes. The course is ITRA certified.

• 60K: ITRA 2
• 45K: ITRA 2
• 36K: ITRA 1
• 18K: ITRA 0

If you have an ITRA ID, include it at registration or email us to add it to your results for publication on ITRA.

You can stay in Yercaud town (or nearby properties) and commute to the venue. On-venue stay at Gowri Estates is limited to Heavens Ledge Tented Accommodation and The Last Shola Cottages.

Registration fee covers race entry only — accommodation is not included and must be booked separately.

For booking details and contacts, visit the Accommodation page.

Most runners reach the venue by self-drive or taxi. Allow extra time for the hill roads from Salem.

Parking at Gowri Estates is very limited — with 300+ runners expected, pre-registration is mandatory for private vehicles.

• Submit parking details: Fill in the vehicle details form on the Travel page (under the "Special Parking" section). One submission per vehicle; groups should nominate one person.
• Priority allocation: Runners staying at Last Shola or Heavens Ledge get first priority. Remaining slots are allotted on a first-booking, first-served basis.
• Parking zones: P1 (Heavens Ledge), P2-A (Estate Office), P2-B (Last Shola), P3 (Bison Lake). Park only in your assigned zone.
• Carpooling: Strongly encouraged if driving alone in a large vehicle.
• Last Shola guests: Please walk the ~1 km to the Heavens Ledge start/finish rather than driving over.
• Taxi: Ask drivers to use the designated drop-off point; overnight taxi stay at Last Shola is not permitted.
• Torch: Bring a handheld torch or use your phone — parking farther away means an early-morning walk in the dark.

See the Travel page for the full guide including air, train, and road options.

Full rules, registration deadlines, TTCW dates, qualification windows, disqualification grounds, and conduct expectations are in the Terms & Conditions. Read them before race day.

Distances are approximate and may change; final route files and announcements will be posted on the main site.

Email: info@bisonultra.com

When writing, include a clear subject and any supporting links or screenshots for qualification or transfer requests.

Venue: Heavens Ledge, Gowri Estates

• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: BIB distribution — strict window, no extensions
• 4:30 PM: Race Director's briefing

What to bring to the Expo:

• Indian citizens: a valid Government-issued photo ID showing your name and date of birth (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Driving Licence).
• Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport and the Indian visa stamp page.
• No exceptions will be made if the required ID is not produced.

Your race day T-shirt and any goodies (if applicable) may be collected by a friend on your behalf.

Authorising a friend to collect your T-shirt / goodies: Forward your registration confirmation email to your friend from your registered email address. This authorisation covers the T-shirt and goodies only — BIB collection requires your presence.

All categories start at 6:00 AM from Heavens Ledge, Gowri Estates.

• 4:45 AM onwards: Arrive at venue (mandatory if not staying on-venue)
• 5:30 AM: Warm-up at Heavens Ledge
• 6:00 AM: Race start — 60K, 45K, 36K, and 18K all go together

If parking farther away, factor in the walk to the start. Bring a torch if arriving before dawn.

The race uses Gun Time — your race clock starts at the official 6:00 AM gun, not when you cross the start mat.

• 60K: 10:30 hrs finish · Hard cut-off: 9:00 hrs at 49.5K checkpoint
• 45K: 8:30 hrs finish · Hard cut-off: 7:00 hrs at 33K checkpoint
• 36K: 6:30 hrs finish · No intermediate cut-off
• 18K: 6:30 hrs max time · No intermediate cut-off

Runners on course after cut-off will be declared DNF and escorted off by the sweeper vehicle. Finishing after cut-off, or arriving at the finish in a sweeper or ambulance, does not qualify for a finisher medal.

Route and elevation details are available on the official ITRA listing: View Bison Ultra 2026 in ITRA. Distances on devices can vary slightly due to GPS variance.

The checkpoints below are aid stations. The clock marker identifies timing-mat locations; a hyphen means that aid station is not on that race category route.

Note: All distances are indicative and shared for information only. This is a trail race, so please factor in course measurement error, terrain, tree cover, switchbacks, route-line interpretation, and individual GPS watch accuracy.

Bison Ultra has a structured medical support plan across the entire course and at the finish. Here is what is in place for you:

Medical Partner — PSG Hospitals, Coimbatore
A qualified medical team from PSG Hospitals will be present to provide emergency medical support during the event.

Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy — Ortho-One
Ortho-One is our official sports medicine partner. Their physiotherapy team will be available at the venue to support runners with muscle recovery, injury assessment, and post-run care.

First Responders on Course — ALERT NGO
Trained first-responder volunteers from ALERT NGO will be stationed at every aid station along the course. They are equipped to provide immediate first aid and basic life support wherever you are on the trail.

Ambulance Deployment

• Medical tent at the Finish Line — staffed and equipped for post-race medical care.
• Ambulance at Vellakkadai — stationed at approximately the 20 km mark from the start (roughly 8 km from the start point on the return), ensuring rapid response in the most remote section of the course.

Communication — HAM Radio Volunteers
HAM radio operators will serve as our communication backbone across the entire course, ensuring real-time coordination between aid stations, the medical team, and race management — especially in areas with poor mobile coverage.

Wear your assigned BIB on the front/chest and keep it visible until you finish. Do not transfer, exchange, lend, or allow another person to wear your BIB.

The Race Director or run managers may stop any runner found wearing a proxy or unauthorised BIB. BIB swapping may result in disqualification and a ban from future editions.

Full conduct rules at Terms & Conditions.

• Follow all painted course markings; do not rely solely on volunteers for directions as they may not know the full route profile for every category.
• You must cross all timing mats for your category — skipping any mat results in a DNF.
• No headphones or earpieces that cover the ears fully or partially; open-ear / bone-conduction devices are permitted.
• No personal crew vehicles or private support on the course.
• No cutting the course, hitchhiking, or using unauthorised transport.
• No alcohol during the event.
• No smart glasses or wearable recording devices on course.
• Respect other runners and volunteers; report any issues to run managers or the Race Director.
• Do not approach or provoke wildlife; you may encounter Wild Gaur and stray dogs on the course.

Full disqualification grounds and conduct policy at Terms & Conditions.

You can quit at any point — your health and safety come first. Reach the nearest aid station, inform a marshal or volunteer, and wait for the recovery vehicle. Do not attempt to walk back alone on the course once the race is officially closed.

If you need urgent help, reach out immediately to the Race Director, run managers, medical team, security personnel, or lead volunteers at any aid station.

DNF runners are not eligible for finisher medals or timing certificates. The nearest hospital with basic facilities is in Yercaud (~22 km); advanced life support is available in Salem.

Results will be published in three stages:

• Race day (7 June) — SMS notification: You may receive an SMS with your result shortly after you finish. Please note that mobile network coverage at Gowri Estates is very poor — delivery of this SMS on race day is not guaranteed and may be delayed.
• Tuesday, 9 June 2026 — Provisional results: Provisional results will be published online. These are subject to validation and may change.
• Monday, 15 June 2026 — Official results: After review and validation of all timing data, course compliance, and any queries, official results will be declared.
• ITRA: Verified results will be submitted to ITRA for publication on the official ITRA listing after official results are confirmed.

If you have a query about your result, write to info@bisonultra.com with your BIB number, name, and category.

Finisher certificates will be available after official results are declared on 15 June 2026. Details on how to access and download your certificate will be shared with all registered runners by email once they are ready.

Note: DNF runners and runners who finish after the cut-off time are not eligible for a finisher certificate or medal.

All expo and race day photos from Bison Ultra 2026 will be distributed through Memzo, a face recognition-based photo platform we have used reliably for several years. The link will be published on this page within 6 days of the race and shared by email with all registered runners.

Photo link will be published after the race