Dharamshala Marathon 2.0, (2026): Dates, Fees, Entry

The Dharamshala Marathon 2026 — officially Dharamshala Marathon 2.0 — is a scenic mountain run in the Dhauladhar foothills, open to runners of every level. Four timed races, from a full 42.195 km marathon down to a 5 km, plus a 3 km fun run anyone can finish — set among pine ridges, Kangra's tea country and the snow line of the Dhauladhars.

It's on Sunday, 27 December 2026 at SAI Stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The theme is "Embrace the Spirit of Dhauladhar."

It's run by the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation. Last December's first edition had its jersey unveiled by the Chief Minister, which tells you roughly how seriously the city is taking this.

Registration is online and closes 13 December — the step-by-step is below, with fees, cut-off times, and the things the organisers haven't announced yet.

Here's everything that's confirmed so far — and, just as usefully, what isn't.

Not sure this is your race? The Kangra Marathon is the other big run in the district — worth comparing before you pay.

Dharamshala Marathon 2026: the quick facts¶

The five races, and what each costs¶

A 35% discount was advertised until 5 November 2026, 5:00 PM. The discounted prices were still showing on the booking page at the time of writing — check the live price before you pay, because that's the number that counts. Transaction charges are added at checkout.

Dates to put in your calendar¶

• 13 December — registration closes, 11:59 PM. No late entries announced.
• 25–26 December — Bib Expo and race-kit collection at SAI Stadium. Timings still to be announced.
• 27 December — race day. Reporting 5:00 AM, flag-off window from 4:30 AM.

Collect your bib at the Expo. Race-day collection has not been confirmed, so don't plan around it.

Making a weekend of it? See what else is on in Dharamshala that week — Christmas week is the busiest the town gets all year.

How to register, step by step¶

Dharamshala Marathon registration is online only. No on-the-day entry has been announced, so this is the only route in.

1. Open the official registration page on Konfhub.
2. Pick your race category — the price shown is per category.
3. Fill in your name, age, contact and category details exactly as on your ID. Wrong details can mean disqualification or a correction queue at the Expo.
4. Pay online. Your registration is only confirmed once payment is verified.
5. Save the confirmation or receipt — you'll need it at the Bib Expo, along with photo ID.

What you actually get for the fee¶

• Official race kit, with a timing bib (non-timed bib for the 3 km)
• Dry-fit event T-shirt and a goodies bag
• Finisher medal for everyone who completes their registered race
• Hydration points along the route and at the venue
• Post-race refreshments
• Live music at the venue
• High-definition race photography
• Timing certificate for the four timed categories; participation certificate for the Fun Run
• Trophies and cash prizes for category winners

Cut-off times¶

All tentative, and the organisers say final timings will be confirmed before race day.

Age categories apply to the Full, Half and 10 km: 35–45, 45–55, and 55+, for both men and women. The 5 km is an open category with no age split.

Which distance should you pick?¶

• Never raced before? The 3 km Fun Run. No cut-off, no timing pressure, same medal-day atmosphere.
• You run occasionally. The 5 km. One hour is a generous cut-off, and it's the only open-category race.
• You run weekly and want a number against your name. The 10 km. Two hours is comfortable if you can already cover 7–8 km.
• You've done a half before. The Dharamshala half marathon is not the half you've run in a city. See the next section.
• Full marathon. Only if you've run one already. December in Dharamshala at altitude, on hill roads, is a harder 42 km than a flat metro course.

What hasn't been announced yet¶

Worth knowing before you commit, because most listings skip this:

• The route. No course map published yet for any distance. Elevation profile unknown.
• Start times per category. Only the 4:30 AM–11:00 AM window is confirmed.
• Prize money. Cash prizes are confirmed; the amounts and positions are not.
• Expo timings on 25–26 December.
• Hydration points, medical stations, baggage and parking — all stated as "to be announced separately".

The organisers have said these will be communicated before race day. If you're travelling in for this, book flexibly until the route and start times are out.

Running in Dharamshala in December¶

Running a marathon in Himachal in late December is a different proposition to a city race. Four things to plan for:

• It will be cold at 5 AM. Single digits is normal. Layers you can shed at the start, and warm clothes in your bag for after.
• You're at altitude. Dharamshala sits around 1,400–1,800 m depending on where you are. If you're coming from the plains, arrive a day or two early rather than the night before. Here's what December is actually like here.
• It's hilly. Nothing in Kangra is flat for long. Train on inclines if you can.
• Sunday 27 December falls in peak holiday week. Book your stay early — McLeod Ganj fills up between Christmas and New Year.

Coming in for the weekend and want more than the race? There's plenty to do around Dharamshala, and the short treks around McLeod Ganj are a good way to spend the Saturday — though maybe not the day before a marathon.

Running it alone? Most people here are. Find others going to the same race on Gigavent — or post that you're running and see who joins you for the training weekends.

Frequently asked questions¶

When is the Dharamshala Marathon 2026? The Dharamshala Marathon 2026, officially Dharamshala Marathon 2.0, takes place on Sunday, 27 December 2026 at SAI Stadium, Dharamshala, with the race window running from 4:30 AM to 11:00 AM.

How do I register for the Dharamshala Marathon? You register online through the official Konfhub listing for the Dharamshala Marathon. Choose your race category, enter your details as they appear on your ID, and pay online. Registration closes on 13 December 2026 at 11:59 PM.

What is the registration fee for the Dharamshala Marathon 2026? Regular fees are ₹2,500 for the full marathon, ₹2,000 for the half, ₹1,500 for 10 km, ₹1,000 for 5 km and ₹800 for the 3 km fun run. A 35% discount was advertised until 5 November 2026.

What distances does the Dharamshala Marathon have? Five: a full marathon of 42.195 km, a half marathon of 21.097 km, a 10 km run, a 5 km run — all four timed — and a non-timed 3 km fun run.

Can beginners run the marathon in Dharamshala? Yes. The marathon in Dharamshala includes a non-timed 3 km fun run with no cut-off at all, and a 5 km open-category race with a one-hour limit. Both are suitable for first-time runners, and the 3 km is the usual starting point.

Who organises the Dharamshala Marathon? The Dharamshala Marathon is organised by the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation. The first edition was held on 25 December 2025 in collaboration with the Kangra district administration, to promote fitness and sports tourism in the Dhauladhar region.

Is there a route map for the Dharamshala Marathon 2026? No course map has been published yet for any distance. The organisers have said the route, start times per category, hydration points and medical stations will be announced separately before race day.

Running your first one? A beginner's guide to turning up and finishing applies more than you'd think — the hills are the same hills.

Ready to enter? Register for the Dharamshala Marathon 2026 before 13 December.