STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Four ultra runner members of 1 J.U.T.T (J&K Ultra Trail Tribe) from Jammu have participated in recently held Ultra Running event at Lavasa near Pune, on July 20 and 21, 2024, known as Sahyadhari Hills Ultra (SHU), and affectionately nicknamed as Monsoon Monster and emerged victorious in different categories, they took part in.
Historically, the Sahyadhari Hills known for the monsoon rains no less than Cherapunji, lived upto its reputation of unpredictable weather and continuous heavy downpour this year also.
Braving these extreme conditions and steep elevation, Samvit Sharma, Satbir Singh, Shilpa Chaku and Dr. Deepak Tickoo dazzled with their exceptional display of grit, resolve and endurance.
This was second edition of Sahyadhari Hills Ultra (SHU), in which around 150 participants from different parts of the country participated in different distance categories i.e., 21 kms, 25 kms, 50 kms, 75 kms, 100 kms and 100 Miles (161 Kms).
This event is held at a time when Monsoon is at its peak in Sahyadhari Hills, so that the runners have to endure the rigours of the rain during their performance in addition to the gruelling elevation which the hills offer, thereby making this event one of the toughest ultra running event of the country.
Samvit Sharma and Satbir Singh took part in 100 miles (161 Kms) category and bagged 1st and 2nd positions respectively. Samvit finished his run in 21 hours, 56 minutes and 18 seconds. He not only clinched the 1st spot in his category but in the process and in an extraordinary display of speed was first to cross 25 km, 50 Km, 75 Km and 100 Km marks. He conquered the entire course in style which had an overall elevation gain of 4152 meters. He was followed by Satbir Singh who finished second clocking a time of 27 hours, 36 Minutes. It was for the first time ever that he participated in distance category of 161 Kms.
It is for the first time that runners from Jammu have earned the podium positions in 161 Kms category. This feat of theirs is achieved in an event which is considered as a real test of mental as well as physical toughness.
In 100 kms distance category, Shilpa Chaku in her maiden attempt, clinched 1st spot in female category, with an impressive timing of 17 hours, 26 minutes and 18 seconds scaling an elevation of 1887 meters under extreme conditions. She is the first female runner from Jammu to bag 1st spot in 100 kms distance category in any event and she also clocked the fastest ever time by any female runner from Jammu in this distance category. Her achievement underscores not only her athletic prowess but also her ability to conquer the challenges posed by the monsoon rains and the demanding course.
In the same 100 kms category, Dr, Deepak Tickoo, also in his maiden attempt, finished the run in commendable time of 16 hours, 45 minutes and 15 seconds. He is the first sexagenarian from J&K to officially complete 100 km distance in a field event. He was the seniormost participant (age wise) in this distance category. Dr. Deepak Tickoo, known for his cool demeanour, has by his sheer display of determination and will power to overcome adverse conditions, emphatically reaffirmed the belief that age is only a number.
