Tenzing Norgay Trail Run 2026

I am to be 39 years old and this was my first trail run and I had the most amazing experience.

I and my friend Bikash Das, travelled from Arunachal Pradesh to Darjeeling to attend this event. It was only because of my friend that I registered and I didn't regret a single bit post the event. We both took part in the 16k category.

Travel:

It was the peak tourist season at Darjeeling. We reached Darjeeling on 29th May, both being first timers at Darjeeling and also at trails, we were not prepared. First of all we didn't pre book hotels which was the worst decision ever made by us, but luckily we managed to get one.

Next the 30th May was the BIB collection day, we collected our BIBs and returned to our hotel.

The race day, the 31st May, MIGMA DADA (you will be remembered forever), the organizer, the host, the anchor, carried the event in such a graceful way with so much respect to the mentioned timings and making us understand the cause underneath this event. The HAWA project, the PLOGGA, everything was for a purpose. I liked the way DADA mentioned the notable persons who helped in shaping this event and everything in it.

The race: 

To be honest I never checked the route, my friend showed me some glimpses though. We both thought we have to run through the MAHAKAL mandir road, but it was opposite (we both laughed at each other)

After the whistle, I followed the crowd's pace and a sudden downhill appeared out of nowhere, there were sudden U-turns, I panicked at first with various thoughts in my mind like what would happen if I fall down and roll? I was hoping the downhill will end soon but no it didn't. After many twists and turns finally the first hydration point and after some steps it was WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE. 

Till then I understood that ROAD running and TRAIL running are completely 2 different things. RESPECT THE TRAIL. 

The terrain to the halfway was challenging with streams to cross, logs of wood to hop on, muddy paves, but with beautiful landscapes: waterfalls etc. and finally the halfway mark- a sigh of relief for me it was. I looked at the time, it was 1 hour 30 minutes, till then my right knee started to pain, I had to take a support stick through my way back now, the stick was my only hope.

On my way back, suddenly the weather grew hotter, there were no shades, body dehydrated, with gels, snickers and water from bladder the only hope, 

Every fellow trail runners, every volunteers encouraged me which also led me to encourage others eventually. I recall 2 incidents that helped me the most. On one occasion while I was resting, I saw a man with a huge heap of grass over his head walking uphill- this man motivated me, like if he can why I can't? The second occasion again while I was resting, a fellow runner told me- "keep moving, if you keep moving then only you will reach your destination"; WOW! This was the greatest push for me that day, because till then my right knee and eventually my right leg completely gave up, I was limping literally. After some walks, I finally reached the STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN hydration point, I was like seriously now do I have to climb the stairs? I asked the distance, they told me roughly 3.7 kms: Oh! okay only 3.7 kms, but man that was the hardest 3.7 kms or whatever that I ever walked or covered in my entire life till now. It was only uphill. I kept walking, kept moving, with a minute halt and again continuing to finally reach the FINISH point. 4 HOURS and 9 SECONDS. I did it. I was happy, I kissed the stick that helped me. 

Everything will be in my memory till I die.

THANKS to the organizers, all participants, all volunteers, all motivators, every hydration points.

Special thanks to the locals, they were so supporting.

Keep moving, keep smiling.