Ganga Sustainability Run 5.0 Rishikesh 2026

The fifth Ganga Sustainability Run takes place on Sunday 1 November 2026 in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, to celebrate the Ganga river ecosystem and encourage its long-term protection. Organised by the Vivekananda Youth Connect Foundation in association with Parmarth Niketan, the event is a distinctive distance-running experience through the Himalayan foothills, with river views, woodland and mountain roads.

Four courses through the Himalayan landscape

Participants may choose the 10K Ganga Experience Run, 21.1K Ganga Half Marathon, 35K Ganga Ultra or 50K Ganga Super Ultra. The official website provides separate Google Earth course maps and elevation profiles for all four distances. Its route material features the Ganga's banks, forests, mountain scenery and waterfalls. The organiser promotes the course as a Himalayan destination challenge, not a conventional flat road race.

Race entry and support

The organiser's current 2026 registration checkout quotes Indian-resident prices of ₹1,199 for 10K, ₹1,799 for 21.1K, ₹2,499 for 35K and ₹3,000 for 50K. The linked IndiaRunning checkout currently offers all four categories. Check the live checkout before paying; availability and fees can change. Participants are advertised a race bib, event T-shirt, finisher medal, refreshments, hydration, e-certificate and basic medical support. ### Location and race-day arrangements

The official 2026 flier gives the start at Ganga Barrage, Neelkanth Road, opposite Gate No. 1 AIIMS Rishikesh, and the finish at Janki Setu, between Beatles Ashram and Parmarth Niketan. The map marker is approximate. Individual category flag-off times and final race-pack instructions should be confirmed with the organiser.

Purpose

This is more than a medal chase: it brings participants to the upper Ganga to appreciate its biodiversity and support awareness of water quality, preservation and sustainable choices. The event's environmental message is a central part of the original organiser's fifth-edition invitation. All times are in India Standard Time (UTC+5:30).

Featured flier: AI-assisted portrait adaptation of the organiser’s 2026 artwork. The original artwork is retained in the gallery.