FAQs

8K Trail Walk

REGISTRATION

Q: What is maximum and minimum permissible age for participation?

A:  We firmly believe that anyone can run at any age. There is no upper age limit, but we will not allow children unless one of the parent is running with them.  

Q: Can I pick-up my bib on the same day as the race?

A: Bibs must be picked up during the pre-race briefing on day before the race i.e on 05th January 2024, between 05:30 PM & 07:30 PM.

Q: Once applied, can I cancel my entry and get refund?

A: After registration, If you cannot participate in the race for some reason, you should notify us before 1st December 2023 and get your registration cancelled. Your registration cannot be swapped with anyone else or carried over to future editions. There is no refund for the 8K Trail Walk Category.   

Q: Should I cancel my entry even after 1st December 2023?

A: Even if your race plan has changed after 1st December 2023, you should still notify us and get your registration cancelled even if there is no refund.  If you don’t participate in the race without cancelling the registration or notifying us, you will only be allowed to enter this race again after 2 editions of Vagamon Ultrail (i.e. 2027).

Q: Can I change my race category once I have applied/my entry is confirmed?

A: Yes, please write to us.  However, this facility will be only available till 15th December 2023 and is subject to qualifying criteria being filled, availability of slots and payment of balance fees.  

Q: Can I transfer my registration to another person?

A: No, transfers between different editions of the race or transfer of race entry to another runner will not be allowed i.e., Race Bibs are NOT interchangeable under any circumstances. Violation of the same will result in immediate disqualification and a possible ban on all events organized by Soles of Cochin.  

Q: How will my entry acceptance be intimated to me?

A: On successful completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email from team@racetime.in or vagamonultrail@SolesofCochin.org. Please ensure that you set your spam filter appropriately or add these email addresses as a contact so that mails from the above email address do not go to spam folder. Closer to the event, you will receive more details on your E-mail.

Q: Can I register for Vagamon Ultrail 2024 even if I have not yet run a qualifying race?

A: There is no qualifying criteria for the 8K Trail Walk.    

Q: What is the Registration Fee for 8K Trail Walk?

A: 400/- including 18% GST, Registration portal and Payment Gateway charges. However, we request you to make the payment using UPI.  

Q: Can I register for Trail Walk now and later book the transport package?

A: We have limited hands to manage the registration and transactions for this race.  Hence you must decide whether you need the transport package at the time of race registration and book the transport package at the same time.  It is not possible to book the transport package separately.

Q: Can I register on the day of the event?

A: No, registrations will be closed on 15th December 2023 or as all 100 slots get filled up. 

Q: When is the Vagamon Ultrail 2024?

A: The next edition of Vagamon Ultrail, the 2024 one, is scheduled for 06th January 2024.

 

REACHING VAGAMON

Q: How can I reach Vagamon?

A: Vagamon is a hill station located in Idukki district of Kerala, India. This is at a distance of 110 Km from Kochi.

Road: Vagamon is well connected by roads, connecting it to the rest of the state.

Rail: The nearest city railway station is Kottayam, located at a distance of 60kms from Vagamon. However, no transport facilities are being arranged by the organisers from Kottayam to Vagamon. For runners interested in availing the transport facility provided by the organisers, please ensure that you disembark at Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town railway station(s).

Air: The Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery has flights from all over the world coming in almost daily. You will find no problem in flying in.

Q: Do organisers provide any transit to Vagamon, since the site is remote?

A: There is a travel package available for all categories. More details on the package and its schedule are available in the Travel & Accommodation section of the website.

Q: Is public transport available?

A: Yes. However, please note that the timings and the mode of transport (you will need to change en-route) may prove to be inconvenient for our race schedule.

Q: Can I reach by private vehicle?

A: Yes, Vagamon is well-connected by roads. The BIB/Briefing location and start-point is Vagamon Eco Adventure Park .  


STAY AT VAGAMON

Q: What are the options of accommodation?

A: Details are available in the Travel and Accommodation section of our website.

Q: Is it compulsory to opt for travel package provided by the organisers?

A: No, participants can arrange their own accommodation & transport.  If you chose to do so, we strongly recommend that you stay at places close to the start-point, as Vagamon has very limited local transportation facilities, especially in the morning.

Q: Are there camping facilities?

A: No, there are no camping facilities arranged by the organizers.

 

BIB DISTRIBUTION

Q: Where is the venue for bib distribution?

A: Bibs will be distributed to registered participants at Vagamon Eco Adventure Park aka Suicide Point during pre-race briefing on 05th January 2024.

Q: Can I authorize another person to pick up my race packet?

A: No. Runners are required to check-in and collect their bibs/race-packets personally. Runners cannot authorise a third party to collect the bib/race-packet on their behalf.

Q: What are the documents required at the time of BIB Pick-up?

A: All participants will be required to show a valid Government ID (Driver’s License, Passport, PAN or Voter ID) during bib collection. Participants are also requested to keep their registration confirmation email handy.

Q: Is a Govt. issued photo ID proof compulsory?

A: Yes. Failure to show a valid Government issued photo ID may result in the runner being disallowed from participating in the race.

 

ABOUT THE RACE

Q: Where does the race start and finish?

A: Trail Walk will start from Vagamon Eco Adventure Park & finish at the same place.  

Q: What time does the race start?

A: The 8K Trail Walk will start at 07:00 AM on 06th January 2024.

Q: What are the cut-off timings?

A: You should reach the finish before 10:00 AM.  If the organizers or volunteers feel that you wouldn't reach by that time, then you could be asked to stop the race and get on the sweep vehicle.

Q: When does the finish line close?

A: The finish line for the 8K Trail Walk closes 3 hours from the start of the race.  

Q: Is there food available on the course?

A: There is no aid station for the 8K trail Walk and you are requested to carry enough water and refreshments that will last for yourself on the 8K trail Walk.  

Q: Is Shower facility available at finish?

A: No such facility is available at the finish.  

Q: Can I be dropped back to the 33K & 60K Finish point?

A: If you have opted for the travel package, you will be dropped from you were picked up.  


RESULTS AND PRIZE MONEY

Q: Where will be results published?

A: 8K Trail Walk is purely for the joy and fun and no official timing or certificates will be provided.  


***Timing and distance are tentative and subject to minor change.

33K

REGISTRATION

Q: What is maximum and minimum permissible age for participation?

A:  We firmly believe that anyone can run at any age. There is no upper age limit, but we will not allow children unless one of the parent is running with them.  

Q: Can I pick-up my bib on the same day as the race?

A: Bibs must be picked up during the pre-race briefing on day before the race i.e on 05th January 2024, between 05:30 PM & 07:30 PM.

Q: Once applied, can I cancel my entry and get refund?

A: After registration, If you cannot participate in the race for some reason, you should notify us before 1st December 2023 and get your registration cancelled. Your registration cannot be swapped with anyone else or carried over to future editions. We will issue a refund upto1350/- for all such voluntary cancellations, subject to all slots being filled on the day of the race.   The refund (if any) will only be issued in the last week of February 2024.  

Q: Should I cancel my entry even after 1st December 2023?

A: Even if your race plan has changed after 1st December 2023, you should still notify us and get your registration cancelled even if there is no refund.  If you don’t participate in the race without cancelling the registration or notifying us, you will only be allowed to enter this race again after 2 editions of Vagamon Ultrail (i.e. 2027).

Q: Can I change my race category once I have applied/my entry is confirmed?

A: Yes, please write to us.  However, this facility will be only available till 15th December 2023 and is subject to qualifying criteria being filled, availability of slots and payment of balance fees.  

Q: Can I transfer my registration to another person?

A: No, transfers between different editions of the race or transfer of race entry to another runner will not be allowed i.e., Race Bibs are NOT interchangeable under any circumstances. Violation of the same will result in immediate disqualification and a possible ban on all events organized by Soles of Cochin.  

Q: How will my entry acceptance be intimated to me?

A: On successful completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email from team@racetime.in or vagamonultrail@SolesofCochin.org. Please ensure that you set your spam filter appropriately or add these email addresses as a contact so that mails from the above email address do not go to spam folder. Closer to the event, you will receive more details on your E-mail.

Q: Can I register for Vagamon Ultrail 2024 even if I have not yet run a qualifying race?

A: No, Runners must submit the hyperlink to the timing certificate or a shareable result link or link to their ITRA profile during registration. If you have any questions, please write to us before registering.  You should have run atleast a half marathon in 03:00 Hrs after 01st February 2022 to participate in 33K category race. Running the previous editions (2022 & 2023) of Vagamon ULtrail or any distance above 30K in a race (within the cut-off time for that race) is also considered as a qualifying criterion for the 33K category.  

Q: Are Strava and gpx or similar records accepted as qualification criteria?

A: Generally, No. But exceptions are given, if they are backed by solid training records and one should only register after agreement from any member of the organising team.   

Q: What is the Registration Fee for 33K?

A: 1800/- including 18% GST, Registration portal and payment Gateway charges. However, we request you to make the payment using UPI to keep our overall costs lower.  

Q: Can I register for 33K now and later book the transport package?

A: We have limited hands to manage the registration and transactions for this race.  Hence you must decide whether you need the transport package at the time of race registration and book the transport package at the same time.  It is not possible to book the transport package separately.

Q: Can I register on the day of the event?

A: No, registrations will be closed on 15th December 2023 or as all 150 slots get filled up. This will be strictly enforced.

Q: When is the Vagamon Ultrail 2024?

A: The next edition of Vagamon Ultrail, the 2024 one, is scheduled for 06th January 2024.

 

REACHING VAGAMON

Q: How can I reach Vagamon?

A: Vagamon is a hill station located in Idukki district of Kerala, India. This is at a distance of 110 Km from Kochi.

Road: Vagamon is well connected by roads, connecting it to the rest of the state.

Rail: The nearest city railway station is Kottayam, located at a distance of 60kms from Vagamon. However, no transport facilities are being arranged by the organisers from Kottayam to Vagamon. For runners interested in availing the transport facility provided by the organisers, please ensure that you disembark at Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town railway station(s).

Air: The Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery has flights from all over the world coming in almost daily. You will find no problem in flying in.

Q: Do organisers provide any transit to Vagamon, since the site is remote?

A: There is a travel package available for all categories. More details on the package and its schedule are available in the Travel & Accommodation section of the website.

Q: Is public transport available?

A: Yes. However, please note that the timings and the mode of transport (you will need to change en-route) may prove to be inconvenient for our race schedule.

Q: Can I reach by private vehicle?

A: Yes, Vagamon is well-connected by roads. The BIB/Briefing location and start-point is Vagamon Eco Adventure Park .  


STAY AT VAGAMON

Q: What are the options of accommodation?

A: Details are available in the Travel and Accommodation section of our website.

Q: Is it compulsory to opt for travel package provided by the organisers?

A: No, participants can arrange their own accommodation & transport.  If you chose to do so, we strongly recommend that you stay at places close to the start-point, as Vagamon has very limited local transportation facilities, especially in the morning.

Q: Are there camping facilities?

A: No, there are no camping facilities arranged by the organizers.

 

BIB DISTRIBUTION

Q: Where is the venue for bib distribution?

A: Bibs will be distributed to registered participants at Vagamon Eco Adventure Park aka Suicide Point during pre-race briefing on 05th January 2024.

Q: Can I authorize another person to pick up my race packet?

A: No. Runners are required to check-in and collect their bibs/race-packets personally. Runners cannot authorise a third party to collect the bib/race-packet on their behalf.

Q: What are the documents required at the time of BIB Pick-up?

A: All participants will be required to show a valid Government ID (Driver’s License, Passport, PAN or Voter ID) during bib collection. Participants are also requested to keep their registration confirmation email handy.

Q: Is a Govt. issued photo ID proof compulsory?

A: Yes. Failure to show a valid Government issued photo ID may result in the runner being disallowed from participating in the race.

 

ABOUT THE RACE

Q: Where does the race start and finish?

A: 33K Run will start from Vagamon Eco Adventure Park & finish at St. Thomas LP School, Pullikkanam. 

Q: What time does the race start?

A: The 33K run will start at 07:30 AM on 06th January 2024.

Q: What are the cut-off timings?

A: You should reach the finish before 05:00 PM.  If the organizers or volunteers feel that you wouldn't reach by that time, then you could be asked to stop the race and get on the sweep vehicle.

Q: When does the finish line close?

A: The finish line for the 33K Run closes 9.5 hours from the start of the race.  

Q: How many UTMB points will be awarded for completing the Vagamon Ultrail 2024?

A: 1 ITRA Point will be awarded for all 33K finishers.  Vagamon ULtrail 2024 is also a qualifying race for UTMB® and gets 20K Qualifier badge. 

Q: Is there food available on the course?

A: The aid stations will be well-stocked with water, energy drinks from our Nutrition Partner (Unived Sports), fruits etc. during the race. The rest areas along the course will be additionally stocked with light snacks. We will also provide cooked food at the aid station which is almost half way through the race.  

Q: How many Aid Stations are on the course?

A: Aid stations will only be set up at average intervals of 10 Km along the course. There will also be some covered areas along the course for runners to stretch and lie-down for a bit.  Everyone must carry mandatory 1L of bottle and they must fill it at every aid station.  

Q: Where can I find a Vagamon Ultrail 2024 course map?

A: Course map section of the website.  

Q: What sports drink will be available on the course?

A: We will be using Unived’s “RRUNN During” as the energy & hydration drink which will be served at all the aid-stations and rest areas on course. “RRUNN During” is a blend of carbohydrate, electrolytes, amino-acids and a key osmolyte and ensures adequate hydration and endurance through the run. Details are available at Unived Sports.

Q: Can I walk the course?

A: Yes, participants may feel free to complete the race by running, walking or crawling. However, no motion enhancing devices are permitted. 

Q: Is Shower facility available at finish?

A: No such facility is available at the finish.  

Q: Will I be dropped back to the start point after the race?

A: There will be a shuttle service every 2 hours at 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM & 6:30 PM to drop the runners from finish point to the start point.  This drop facility is available even if you have not opted for the travel package.  


RESULTS AND PRIZE MONEY

Q: Where will be results published?

A: The results will be updated here. All finishers can obtain their official time from the website of our timing provider within a week after the event. 

Q: What is the prize money for the podium finishers?

A: The Vagamon Ultrail does not have any prize money. The race is conducted purely for the love of running and for people to experience the beauty of the breathtaking route. Every runner who successfully completes their race within the stipulated time will earn a unique medal to take home. To avoid wastage, finisher medals are available only for the first 120 finishers.  Medals will be sent by post to the remaining finishers.  

***Timing and distance are tentative and subject to minor change.

ULTRA (60K)

REGISTRATION

Q: What is maximum and minimum permissible age for participation?

A: The minimum permissible age is 18 years as of 06th January 2024. We firmly believe that anyone can run at any age. There is no upper age limit, although we will require proof of prior completion of an event or assurance that you have put in the effort to train for a trail ultra marathon.  

Q: Can I pick-up my bib on the same day as the race?

A: Bibs must be picked up during the pre-race briefing, which is on the day before the race on 05th January 2024, between 05:30 PM & 07:30 PM, from Vagamon Eco Adventure Park.    

Q: Once applied can I cancel my entry and get refund?

A: After registration, if you cannot participate in the race for some reason, you should notify us by 1st December 2023 and get your registration cancelled. Your registration cannot be swapped with anyone else or carried over to future editions. We will issue a refund upto 2750/- for all such voluntary cancellations, subject to all slots being filled on the day of the race.  The refund (if any) will only be issued in the last week of February 2024. 

Q: Should I cancel my entry even after 1st December 2023?

A: Even if your race plan has changed after 1st December 2023, you should still notify us and get your registration cancelled even if there is no refund.  If you don’t participate in the race without cancelling the registration or notifying us, you will only be allowed to enter this race again after 2 editions of Vagamon Ultrail (i.e. 2027).

Q: Can I change my race category once I have applied/my entry is confirmed?

A: Yes, please write to us.  However, this facility will be only available till 15thDecember 2023 and subject to free slots being available in the 33K category.   

Q: Can I transfer my registration to another person?

A: No, transfers between different race editions or transfers of race entry to another runner will not be allowed i.e., Race Bibs are NOT interchangeable under any circumstances. Violation of the same will result in immediate disqualification and face a potential ban on all events organized by Soles of Cochin.  

Q: How will my entry acceptance be intimated to me?

A: On successful completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email from team@racetime.in or vagamonultrail@SolesofCochin.org. Please ensure that you set your spam filter appropriately or add these email addresses as a contact so that mails from the above email address do not go to spam folder. Closer to the event, you will receive more details on your E-mail.

Q: Can I register for Vagamon Ultrail 2024 even if I have not yet run a qualifying race?

A: No, Runners must submit the hyperlink to the timing certificate or a shareable result link or link to their ITRA profile during registration. If you have any questions, please write to us before registering.  You should have atleast run a full marathon in 05:15 Hrs after 01st February 2022 to participate in 60K category race. 

Q: Are Strava and gpx or similar records accepted as qualification criteria?

A: Generally, No. But exceptions are given, if they are backed by solid training records and one should only register after agreement from any member of the organising team.   

Q: What is the Registration Fee for 60K?

A: 3350/- including GST, registration portal and payment gateway charges.  However, we recommend making the payment using UPI.  

Q: Can I register for 60K now and later book the transport package?

A: We have limited hands to manage the registration and transactions for this race.  Hence you must decide whether you need the transport package at the time of race registration and book the transport package at the same time.  It is not possible to book the transport package separately.

Q: Can I register on the day of the event?

A: No, registrations will be closed on 15th December 2023 or as all 150 slots get filled up. This will be strictly enforced.

Q: When is the Vagamon ULtrail 2024?

A: The next edition of Vagamon ULtrail, the 2024 one, is scheduled for 06th January 2024.


REACHING VAGAMON

Q: How can I reach Vagamon?

A: Vagamon is a hill station located in Idukki district of Kerala, India. This is at a distance of 110 Km from Kochi.

Road: Vagamon is well connected by roads, connecting it to the rest of the state.

Rail: The nearest city railway station is Kottayam, located at a distance of 60kms from Vagamon. However, no transport facilities are being arranged by the organisers from Kottayam to Vagamon. For runners interested in availing the transport facility provided by the organisers, please ensure that you disembark at Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town railway station(s).

Air: The Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery has flights from all over the world coming in almost daily. You will find no problem in flying in.

Q: Do organisers provide any transit to Vagamon, since the site is remote?

A: There is a travel package available for all categories. More details on the package and its schedule are available in the Travel & Accommodation section of the website.

Q: Is public transport available?

A: Yes. However, please note that the timings and the mode of transport (you will need to change en-route) may prove to be inconvenient for our race schedule.

Q: Can I reach by private vehicle?

A: Yes, Vagamon is well-connected by roads. The start-point is Vagamon Eco Adventure Park .  


STAY AT VAGAMON

Q: What are the options of accommodation?

A: Details will soon be available in the Travel and Accommodation section of our website.

Q: Is it compulsory to opt for travel package provided by the organisers?

A: No, participants can arrange their own accommodation & transport.  If you chose to do so, we strongly recommend that you stay at places close to the start-point, as Vagamon has very limited local transportation facilities.

Q: Are there camping facilities?

A: No, there are no camping facilities arranged by the organizers.

 

BIB DISTRIBUTION

Q: Where is the venue for bib distribution?

A: Bibs will be distributed to registered participants at Vagamon Eco Adventure Park aka Suicide Point during pre-race briefing on 05th January 2024.

Q: Can I authorize another person to pick up my race packet?

A: No. Runners are required to check-in and collect their bibs/race-packets personally. Runners cannot authorise a third party to collect the bib/race-packet on their behalf.

Q: What are the documents required at the time of BIB Pick-up?

A: All participants will be required to show a valid Government ID (Driver’s License, Passport, PAN or Voter ID) during bib collection. Participants are also requested to keep their registration confirmation email/SMS handy.

Q: Is a Govt. issued photo ID proof compulsory?

A: Yes. Failure to show a valid Government issued photo ID may result in the runner being disallowed from participating in the race.

 

ABOUT THE RACE

Q: Where does the race start and finish?

A: 60K will start from Vagamon Eco Adventure Park  and finish at St. Thomas LP School, Pullikkanam. The course map is available here.

Q: What time does the race start?

A: The 60K race will start at 06:30 AM on 06th January 2024.

Q: What are the cut-off timings?

A: Runners are given a total of 12 hours from the start of the race to finish the 60K event. However, there will be multiple stage cut-offs; of 5 hours at 25 Km, and a second cut-off of 8.5 hours at 42 Km.  Runners still on the course after their cut-off times (both stage and overall cut-off) will be picked up by the sweep vehicle and will not be permitted to continue the race.***

Q: When does the finish line close?

A: The finish line for the 60K race closes 12 hours from the start of the race.  

Q: How many ITRA points will be awarded for completing the Vagamon ULtrail 2024?

A: 3 ITRA Points will be awarded to all 60K finishers.  Vagamon ULtrail 2024 is also a qualifying race for UTMB® and gets 50K Qualifier badge. 

Q: Is there food available on the course?

A: The aid stations will be well-stocked with water, energy drinks from our Nutrition Partner (Unived Sports), fruits etc. during the race. The rest areas along the course will be additionally stocked with light snacks. We will also provide cooked food at the aid stations at around the 25K & 42K aid stations. 

Q: How many Aid Stations are on the course?

A: Aid stations will be set up at average intervals of 10 Km along the course. There will also be some covered areas along the course for runners to stretch and lie-down for a bit.  Every runner must compulsorily carry atleast 1L of hydration bag and fill them at all the possible opportunity.  They must also carry some snacks with them as the aid stations are far apart.    

Q: Where can I find a Vagamon Ultrail 2024 course map?

A: Course map section of the website.  

Q: What sports drink will be available on the course?

A: We will be using Unived’s “RRUNN During” as the energy & hydration drink which will be served at all the aid-stations and rest areas on course. “RRUNN During” is a blend of carbohydrate, electrolytes, amino-acids and a key osmolyte and ensures adequate hydration and endurance through the run. Details are available at Unived Sports.

Q: Can I walk the course?

A: Yes, participants can complete the race by running, walking or crawling. However, no motion enhancing devices are permitted. Regardless of how a participant chooses to complete the course, please note that the races have overall and stage-wise cut-off times, which all runners are required to adhere to and will be enforced strictly.  And, you are not likely to reach the intermediate stage cut-offs within stipulated time, if you just resort to walking.  

Q: Is Shower facility available at finish?

A: No such facility is available at the finish.  


RESULTS AND PRIZE MONEY

Q: Where will be results published?

A: The results will be updated here soon after the race. All finishers can obtain their official time from the website of our timing provider within a week following the event. 

Q: What is the prize money for the podium finishers?

A: The Vagamon Ultrail does not have any prize money. The race is conducted purely for the love of running and for people to experience the beauty of the breathtaking route. Every runner who successfully completes their race within the stipulated time will earn a unique medal to take home.  To avoid wastage, finisher medals are available only for the first 100 finishers.  Medals will be sent by post to the remaining finishers.  

***Timing and distance are tentative and subject to minor change.