Route Details 2019
SHHM 2019 HALF MARATHON ROUTE
The iconic SHHM route has become almost legendary for its unique and challenging character. (Total elevation gain is 420 m)
In the 8th edition,the route becomes even better. Owing to development works in the city, the Start & Finish point have been shifted to Police Parade ground again. ( 2018 venue was Talim Sangh ground, Satara. )
As a result, the Turn around point of the Half Marathon course will be approximately 150 m ahead of Prakruti Health Resort.
Route Description
The Race [ 21.097km ] starts from the Police Parade Ground at 6 am.
There is a steady incline for about 600 m till you reach Powai Naka. After a sharp right turn, runners get a gentle slope & a relatively flat course for next 1.2 km till Shete chowk. You will take a sharp left from here. You will reach iconic landmark 'Kamani Howd' after a short steady incline. Then the road goes through the locations of some of the oldest & busiest public squares and business streets of Satara (Rajpath). This straight patch ends approximately near the historic Palace of the Marathas ( Rajwada ).
After Rajwada there is a steep incline of approx 600 meters within the city section brings you to the Mirekar chowk. From here onwards [ km 1.6 ] we turn right and continue along the familiar ( at least for veterans of this course ) original route.
The actual Climb begins at approx. 4.2 km, near the Bogda [ Tunnel ], where we take a right turn and get onto the Satara-Kaas road.
KAAS, a World Heritage site - famous for its Flower plateau, is about 25 km from here. This is the steepest climb of the route, which is approx. 3.25 km long. It is important to conserve your resources here. It's wiser to walk up a major portion of this section, and make up for it on the return journey. You get a panoramic view of Satara and its surrounding mountains on your right hand side [ valley side ]
Enjoy the beautiful series of Waterfalls on the section between Km 6.5 to 7. We have built a special platform for runners who wish to take a dip under the cool natural spring waterfalls.
The Climb ends at Km 7.5 [ Niwant Hill Resort] & you get an easier Rolling hills section of approx. 4.75 km from here till the Turn around [ apart from a couple of sudden surprise smaller hills along the way ]
You will reach the Highest point [ Eagle Nest point ] of the route at Km 10, where you get an a Eagles eye view of the majestic mountains and the Kanher Dam and lake.
Steady downhill from here will take you to the Turn around point which is located 150 m ahead of Prakruti Ayurvedic Health Resort.
Just after the turn around you may choose to take a short selfie break at the newly developed Runners Point [ 'Running Family' statues, specially commissioned and installed by Satara Runners at the entrance gate of the resort ]
The route back to the Finish is same till you reach Mirekar chowk at 18 k. Here, instead of turning left, we go straight, passing along the historic Adalatwada, the palatial residence of one of the senior members of the Satara Royal Family.
At 19.5 k you reach at the Satara Nagarpalika corner [ Shahu Chowk ]. You will go straight from here for 100 m and take sharp left to reach Gite building. Then you take a sharp right turn, which will bring you within eyesight of the Finish at Powai Naka.
You can now make a dash for the Finish line here and finish in style, as its a slope and the cheering bands will be at their loudest & best here !
We really enjoy hosting you in Satara.
We are sure you will have Fun running our course too !
WHAT VETERANS SAY ABOUT OUR COURSE
The route for the SHHM has been described in many ways by past runners. Its been called Beautiful, Scenic, Blessed with Natures Bounty, a run in the clouds etc. But one thing is for sure NO ONE has ever called it Easy
That's why it's known as "Ultra Half Marathon". Veterans who have run some of the most difficult distance races over the world have described this course as a tough nut to crack.
Veteran Ultra-marathoner Satish Gujaran from Mumbai, who has finished 5 Comrades marathons back to back, becoming the fastest Indian to finish it for four years on the trot has this to say about the SHHM
The SHHM course has many similarities with the route of the legendary COMRADES Ultra marathon, in South Africa. The uphill portion, coming around 2.4 km from the Start, bears an uncanny similarity with the fabled FIELDS HILL of the Comrades Uphill course. Every runner who nurtures a dream to run and finish the COMRADES some day, should run the SHHM to get a feel of what it is like, and use it as a stepping stone towards the ultimate glory The Comrades Ultra marathon !!!
It is clearly not a race to beat your own P.B (personal best / record), but if you do run this half marathon and finish it, rest assured that it will be a feather in your cap. The route is testing on the runner, but the challenge is worth it. This may not produce your personal best time, but it is very likely to be your personal best route!!!
