USF Half Marathon Pauri 2026

USF Half Marathon Pauri 2026: A Celebration of Running and Community

Uttarakhand Sports Foundation, New Delhi, in association with Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Engineering and Technology (GBPIET), Ghurdauri, organized the USF Half Marathon Pauri 2026.

The hills of Pauri Garhwal are known for their natural beauty. Now, they are also gaining recognition as a destination for running and athletics. Organized by Uttarakhand Sports Foundation, New Delhi, with GBPIET as the venue and event management partner, the marathon brought together hundreds of runners, local athletes, students, and first-time participants.

The event encouraged people to take part in sports while highlighting the athletic potential of Uttarakhand’s youth.

USF Half Marathon Pauri

The USF Half Marathon Pauri was organized by Uttarakhand Sports Foundation, New Delhi, in association with GBPIET, Ghurdauri.

Uttarakhand Sports Foundation provided the vision, support, and prize structure, while GBPIET played a vital role as the venue and event management partner. The institute supported the event through its campus facilities, volunteers, students, and on-ground coordination.

A large number of GBPIET students also participated in the race, adding energy and enthusiasm to the event. Their involvement reflected the growing interest in fitness, athletics, and sports among students in the region.

When and Where Was the Marathon Held?

The marathon took place on Sunday, 24 May 2026, at the GBPIET campus in Ghurdauri, Pauri Garhwal.

The venue is located near Ransi Stadium, one of Asia’s highest-altitude sports facilities. The surrounding high-altitude training environment made Pauri an ideal location for a challenging and inspiring road race.

How Many Runners Participated?

More than 700 runners participated in the event. They came from different towns, villages, and districts across Uttarakhand.

The race also included athletes associated with Ransi Stadium, as well as a large number of students from GBPIET. More than 100 participants had a direct connection with Ransi Stadium’s training programmes.

The impressive turnout made the marathon one of the most significant running events held in Pauri district.

Race Categories and Prize Money

The organizers created multiple race categories to encourage participation among professional athletes, students, young runners, and first-time participants.

A total prize pool of ₹2.4 lakh was reserved for native athletes from Uttarakhand.

Men’s 21 KM Category

Ankit Kumar from Pauri delivered a strong performance in the men’s half marathon. He completed the 21-kilometre route in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

 

Women’s 21 KM Category

Bhagirathi Bisht won the women’s 21 km category after completing the challenging hill route in 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 54 seconds. She received a cash prize of ₹51,000 for her performance.

Youngest Winner

The women’s 5 km race also produced an inspiring moment when seven-year-old Arya secured first place. Her achievement showed that passion and determination can begin at any age.

Why Ransi Stadium Athletes Made the Race Special

Ransi Stadium is located at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. Training at such an altitude helps athletes develop endurance, stamina, and lung capacity.

The participation of Ransi Stadium athletes added a competitive edge to the event. It also highlighted the important role of Pauri’s sports infrastructure in developing runners who can compete at state and national levels.

The Role of GBPIET in the Event

GBPIET was more than just the venue for the marathon. It served as the event management partner and supported the organization of the race through its students, faculty, volunteers, and campus resources.

The large participation of GBPIET students made the event more vibrant and helped create a strong connection between education, fitness, and sports. Their involvement demonstrated how educational institutions can actively contribute to the development of sporting culture in Uttarakhand.

The Bigger Purpose Behind the Marathon

The marathon was not limited to medals, rankings, and finishing times. Its larger purpose was to encourage young people in the hills to consider sports as a serious career option.

Through events like this, Uttarakhand Sports Foundation, New Delhi, aims to identify talented athletes and provide them with the support required to prepare for state and national-level competitions.

Several partners contributed to the successful organization of the event, including:

• GBPIET students, faculty, and volunteers
• Local sponsors and members of Uttarakhand Sports Foundation
• Pauri Police and the district administration
• Uttara Care Hospital, Pauri, for medical support

What This Means for Uttarakhand’s Sporting Future

The USF Half Marathon Pauri 2026 showed that the hills of Uttarakhand have significant athletic talent and a strong community interest in running.

Every participant who completed the race carried forward an important message: athletes from the hills can compete, succeed, and inspire others.

With continued support from Uttarakhand Sports Foundation, New Delhi, GBPIET, local institutions, and the wider community, future editions of the marathon can attract even more runners, students, and aspiring athletes.