Chennai Trail Ultra - 2025

Chennai Trail Ultra 

Chennai Trail Club will always be close to heart but Chennai Trail Ultra 2025 - was an emotion which we all lived and have been etched in my heart, mind, eyes and it wouldn't be an over hype even when I say, in my soul.

Last year's Jawadhu Hills Ultra route marking and a couple of races which I did post that made me a little confident and motivated to join our team for this year's CTU route recce. And it will be an understatement that I was humbled with the dedication and amount of heart they put while doing the recce, just in the 1st recce of this season.

That made me even more proud of these guys and I wanted to be a part of the team.

I tried to join the team whenever I could, mostly for the recce of 16kms category, considering I haven't reached the stage of doing long distance yet, as in 30+kms.

The above statement itself makes me look back and feel pride in realizing how far I have come, thinking that 10kms isn't long distance anymore.

Thanks to my husband- Nilesh, for all the motivation and inspiration all along.

While the recce was being done, the registration for CTU'25 was in full swing. To be involved in the registration process at the elemental level gave some critical POV in the operation.

From verifying the registrants details to contacting them for any missing info to discussing medal design and everything in between, time flied over but left the shadows of all the work put into a final product which was going to be something dreamlike.

A week before the event day, Simulation run was planned to mimic the actual race day conditions (ones which can be controlled); like the route, the swiftness of biking team for any rescue or aid needed, the food check and many things which makes an event serene from runners' POV..

But the Rain god had different plans I suppose, as there was heavy cloud burst in the area and we were all awake at our own homes and discussed the weather and possibilities of making this simulation run happen. 

Then enters the chat, CTC's volunteer spirit.

All of us determined, started from our places as planned and began our run with all the other necessary aid taking place alongside making our simulation run - the reality it was supposed to be.

After detailed discussion on the venue and other department works, we retired to our homes only to aggressively keep the prep going on for the event which was nearing not second by second but by to-do task after task.

The team was scattered all around Chennai, I would say; just couple of days before the event - procuring the t shirts, the medal, goodie bags, the aid station materials, venue needs etc.

Each day felt like couple of days combined with tiredness being to the level where you can't even sleep despite all the energy drain.

But all these were about to lead us to the satisfaction level pro max and this very feel kept all of us going.

Pre race day arrived and we were all set for the route marking while on the other hand, one half of team was all excited to meet the runners and get the BIB distribution started.

After having the marking materials divided between the 2 teams who were ready to stride on the day-long journey of route marking, the actual day began for us.

This time the process of route marking felt easier in one way that I knew the 16km route here and on contrast it was much difficult than the JHU due to extremely open space and very hot climate.

After around 1.5km or 2km, I felt the striking difference in the 2 tasks I took in hand since the initial edition of CTU which is from 2023.

1. I have been in BIB distribution for previous editions, one where you are in AC but the mental toll that particular day takes on you is something too difficult to deal with let alone face the enormous number of runners with such exhaustive brain where the brain brains so much that it stops braining once we close BIB distribution in the City.

2. On the other polar side, route marking requires such physical stamina to carry the materials, to be spontaneous in marking the route keeping the runner’s ease in locating the route and safety, all this while getting posh level sunburn under the scorching sun.

While there is nothing I would change, I was delighted to have experienced both the sides of the coin.

Almost around 1.30pm we received our lunch on the route, from our head of food department with such love that all our exhaustion vanished.

After having only sips of water during the course until then, we drank water like there was some sponge within our bodies 😵

We finished the major work by around 4pm and I then relaxed at the venue for some while soaking in all the hot feels from sun and meeting our friends who have reached the venue by then.

And the fun part we had while marking the route, was that it was too much of an inside joke which I don't know how to explain here.

Few of them went back inside the route to get couple of boards fixed and do a cross check to verify everything is in place.

From then on the 2nd part of day began, starting from coordinating with runners who opted for stay at the venue to later directing them to the allotted spaces and then relaxing a bit with the BIB volunteers (my dear friends) who reached the venue just in time. 

After a bit of catching up, got back on helping the venue team in setting up the décor at the ground and made some nice connections with other volunteers while doing so. 

There is something about this community which somehow brings people this close despite not having met them even once before.

After all the hustle and bustle, everyone were retiring for the night to get some rest while few were still on the route, verifying the status for nth time in dark conditions. While few of them wanted to rest for couple of hours before the big day, 3 of us - Aswathy, Gayathri & myself had different plans for the night (one can say that our subconscious had other plan coz Gayathri in her right mind wanted to doze off for a while).

We chit chatted, lying on the tarpaulin, for what seemed like forever and laughed with muted sound as our lungs were in peak working mode 😂.

Only when there was a small opportunity for Gayu to sleep now, it started raining.

And then we were forced to sit and continue our banter while every other volunteer started to join us from their tents and mats, seeking shelter under the shamiana tent.

The cloud burst which followed did make us worried for a while, but also the TRP in our area was not something which dropped.

Having fun was maintained equally while being worried about the event which was scheduled to start in couple of hours now.

The volunteers who were on the route arrived all drenched, while those stationed at the aid station points used their creativity and sheltered themselves using available things and few others were helped by village residents by allowing our volunteers to rest at their place.

While we managed to get the important stuffs related to runners into our cars in the heavy rain, we all were occupying the space which was too small under the tent all while the Core organizing team was making the contingency plan, just in case.

Gradually the rain came to halt with only an hour left for the race start time.

That time stretch was enough for our volunteers to gear up and make things smooth for the event to begin.

The race started as per the original plan and our volunteers pulled it off as though nothing have happened in the last couple of hours.. 

While the food prep for the runners have been in full action mode since late in the night, the other volunteers started their job for the day as route marshals, bike support crew, and our very own aid station angels all hyped to cheer the participants like no one else.

Each and every volunteer gave their 110% to get this event going and another kudos to the volunteers who relentlessly smiled and cheered every time while a runner crossed the finish line and honored them with the unique CTC style eco friendly medal.

I felt like its my (informal) obligation to keep things smooth for each & every runner and thus tried taking tasks in hand on the go to guide them do the loop for 32km & 50km category by instructing them while standing in hot sun just before Finish line.

I think this is what CTC spirit does to you, and I believe each and every volunteer would have had this feeling at least once.

The event was coming to a finish line of its own while runners were happy with the scenic route, bang on trail marking and the ultimate CTC volunteer energy.

But the work was not done yet. Once all the runners departed from the venue after relishing the yum food; our volunteers cleared the entire place; removing almost all the route markers, emptying the aid stations, and clearing the ground and not leaving any waste behind.

The reward for the hard work being the late afternoon Biryani which all of us had with all the sleepy faces and content heart.

The journey back home was full on sleep mode and had to take nap breaks to avoid any mishaps. 

With months of hard work and heart full of contentment and exhilaration; we dozed off only to wake up next morning.

This journey of Chennai Trail Ultra 2025 has been stunning and one to be remembered for years to come.

Meanwhile, gearing up for the next event Jawadhu Hills Ultra 2025.

Stay tuned for the updates !!!