The longest run | Trail runner Sannat Sachdev
As trail running gains ground in India, Fastest Known Times (FKTs) are giving runners a new way to test themselves—as Sannat Sachdev discovered on Himachal's punishing Bir–Bada Bhangal trail
On September 18, Sannat Sachdev took on his longest run. The 52.5 km route (elevation gain: 4,300m) between Bir and Bada Bhangal—one of the most remote tribal villages in Himachal Pradesh—is a journey of three to four days, usually undertaken by locals, shepherds or trekkers. He now looked to establish the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the trail.
On September 18, Sannat Sachdev took on his longest run. The 52.5 km route (elevation gain: 4,300m) between Bir and Bada Bhangal—one of the most remote tribal villages in Himachal Pradesh—is a journey of three to four days, usually undertaken by locals, shepherds or trekkers. He now looked to establish the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the trail.
On September 18, Sannat Sachdev took on his longest run. The 52.5 km route (elevation gain: 4,300m) between Bir and Bada Bhangal—one of the most remote tribal villages in Himachal Pradesh—is a journey of three to four days, usually undertaken by locals, shepherds or trekkers. He now looked to establish the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the trail.
Starting out at 4 am, Sachdev, 34, ran a short distance in the company of fellow runners. He navigated steep ascents, river crossings, moraine and snow bridges to arrive at the high-altitude village after 12 hours 12 seconds. “I had to figure out everything from navigation to fuelling on my own,” he recalls. “The terrain is technical, then there is the altitude. So, I had to be efficient and consistent in terms of expending energy and resources.”
Trail running in India has grown over the past five years, both in terms of the number of races and runners. Access to trails continues to be a challenge, especially for those living in metros. But weekend runs led by clubs such as Sahyadri Scramblers and Capital Trails have enabled road runners to understand the nitty-gritty of trail running.
After competing in trail races in India and around the world, Sachdev turned to his first FKT. These attempts got popular during the pandemic lockdown when races were cancelled. Runners picked out routes based on their abilities, an effort that could last a few hours or extend to days. “You can create a unique project in your backyard. And when it’s an iconic route, others can challenge your time and keep pushing limits,” he explains.
Six hours into the run, fatigue was setting in and the altitude was taking its toll on Sachdev. When he topped out at Thamsar Pass, the highest point on the route, he knew the demanding climbs were behind him. But a tricky descent over rocks and scree followed. “The most miserable two hours of the daybut I was committed and pushed on,” he says. The rush was palpable, but with no cellular network, Sachdev was left to savour the moment in the company of the breathtaking Dhauladhar mountains.
