NthAdventure is back with their annual race and the 4th edition of the “Namma Adventure Race”, Karnataka’s only Adventure Race.
NthAdventure is back with their annual race and the 4th edition of the “Namma Adventure Race”, Karnataka’s only Adventure Race. Adventure Racing is a fast-growing sport in India and is a great platform for young to elite teams. This race serves as a qualifier race for the annual Adventure Racing Championship race for India in 2026.
Namma Adventure Race 4.0 is themed on heritage and will take teams to the historic location of “Badami” in Bagalkote District of Karnataka. The course will be 140KM, raced over 24 hours and will take teams along ancient trails and through scenic and vast sugarcane farmlands, connecting them with local people and traditional activities. Disciplines include trail running, MTB, hiking, abseiling, a village activity and map and compass navigation.
Unlike any other places in India, Badami's red sandstone cliffs create a striking canyon landscape. Nestled within these glowing red walls are Agastya Lake, the ancient caves, and the hilltop fort, creating an amazing blend of nature and history. Some of the ancient trails have been used for generations.
Teams will visit temples dated to the 6th and 7th century CE and constructed by the early kings of the great Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The dating of the temples is based on the style of architecture, which is similar to that of the temples in nearby Aihole and Pattadakallu, and all are marvels of ancient engineering and protected by UNESCO.
For this edition there will be 13 teams on the start line from 9 States of India and 2 foreign nationals from Nepal & Netherlands. The Indian Adventure Racing family is expanding along with adventure tourism in the country.
Ajita Madan, Race Director said, “We are super excited to host the Namma Adventure Race 4.0 in the district of Bagalkote, Karnataka. Our goal is always to highlight adventure tourism, connecting the culture and tradition of each district as part of the Adventure Racing experience.
“This race is going to be fast and challengeing, and gives our athletes an opportunity to understand the magnitude of this sport. We always want them to feel challenged, push them to execute strategic choices, and have an immersive and unforgettable experience. Badami is well known for its historic importance and the growth of its climbing community. We are so glad to have support from various governing bodies, stakeholders and departments to make this event happen. One event at a time we will realize the potential of this incredible sport.”
Talking about the difficulty level, Sayeesha Kirani, Race Director said, “Every course is unique. This course is designed for teams wanting to push their game and move towards Expedition style racing. A 5 day, non-stop, Adventure Racing World Series qualifier for India has now been announced in Arunachal Pradesh for next year, and teams must gear up for all challenges ahead.
“The race will have the element of surprise as some of the activities are not revealed. Teams will only learn the next challenge once they reach certain checkpoints and transition areas. The course will take racers through villages, farmlands, valleys and the main town and it is going to be interesting to see how teams plan to do everything in the least amount of time. There will be a cut-off and teams need to strategize accordingly. It takes a massive effort to organize a sport like this, where multiple disciplines and departments are involved. A big shout out to everyone involved in making this happen!”
The event preparation begins on Friday 12th December followed by the race briefing. The race will be flagged off on Saturday 13th in the morning after teams have been transported to an undisclosed start location at 6 AM. Follow the journey through regular news, videos and images on Instagram @nthadventure and @arwsasia
About NthAdventure:
NthAdventure is India’s only organization licensed by the Adventure Racing World Series, and is making continuous efforts to grow the sport in India. Through the year they conduct navigation workshops (mini orienteering runs on trails, bikes, kayaks), Adventure Racing workshops & sprint races of 30 to 60km which from part of the sprint AR category of the ARWS Asia Regional Series. NthAdventure’s prime focus is to grow and build the Adventure Racing and Orienteering community in India. They are creating platforms for participation and encouraging athletes to travel in International events to represent India.
For more information about NthAdventure and upcoming races visit https://www.nthadventure.com/
