As an athlete, a DNF hurts …
I didn’t really consider last year’s cancellation of the Bhutan Ultra a “DNF”. I had been late in promoting the race and wasn’t sure I had given it enough time for the word to spread. I also made the decision to cancel very early because I didn’t want even a small number of athletes to get excited, book flights, take time off work, and organize everything, only for me to cancel at the last minute. After all, the Bhutan Ultra is a major commitment, both in terms of time and money. To this day, I assume very few people would sign up for a trip like this on short notice.
For 2026, however, things were different. There was plenty of time for people to enquire, plan, and register. But it hasn’t happened. There simply hasn’t been enough interest. And that makes this feel very much like an organizer’s DNF.
The most difficult part is that I honestly don’t know what the problem is. It is probably a combination of many factors. Perhaps I needed to invest more in marketing and reach a larger audience. Maybe the cancellation in 2025 made interested athletes hesitant and encouraged them to wait and see. Increased flight prices are certainly not helping. The race itself is not inexpensive either. And requiring a minimum of two weeks away from home may simply be too much for many people.
So, if you have been following the Bhutan Ultra and have considered participating in 2026 or beyond, I would genuinely love to hear from you. I’m beginning to think it may not make sense for me to continue trying to establish the Bhutan Ultra on my own – but perhaps I’m wrong. Any feedback you can provide will help me make that decision.
What makes it especially hard to let go is how much I have enjoyed Bhutan. The local team is incredible, and I know that anyone who gave this race a chance would return home inspired – by the people, the culture, the landscapes, and the challenge itself.
What I would like to offer for 2026, and possibly beyond, is a trail running and hiking adventure along the eastern section of the Trans Bhutan Trail. We will follow exactly the same route we had envisioned for the race, but it will not be a competitive event. Instead, it will be an adventure for trail runners and strong hikers who enjoy moving efficiently through mountain terrain and who are looking for an experience rather than a race. We are currently finalizing the budget and I expect to be able to confirm the details next week.
I realize that, for 2026, a trip of this scale may be too short notice for many people. For that reason, I will also soon announce dates for 2027. For either year, we need a minimum of ten participants to make the trip possible. If this sounds interesting to you, please get in touch.
I will also be offering the Laya Run & Royal Highland Festival trip again next year. That trip can run with as few as two guests, and by the end of October 2026 we will have feedback from this year’s participants. As always, if you have any questions about that experience, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
As for the Bhutan Ultra itself, I will wait for feedback before making a final decision about giving it a third attempt. I have also reached out to larger event organizers with greater marketing reach to see whether they might be interested in taking on the project.
Because, ultimately, I don’t really care whether it is me organizing it or someone else.
Eastern Bhutan- and this section of the Trans Bhutan Trail in particular – would greatly benefit from more visitors. The Bhutan Ultra is an incredible way to show the world what this part of the kingdom has to offer.
Whether I end up organizing the event myself or simply helping others make it happen doesn’t matter to me. My goal has always been the same: to help the people and communities of this remarkable region.
Returning to the analogy of an athlete’s DNF, I can also see the positive side of this experience. The Bhutan Ultra project has already given me so much. It allowed me to meet and work with amazing people. It took me on a hike and an adventure that I will never forget in one of the world’s most fascinating countries. It taught me that, while starting new winter ultras seems to come relatively easily to me, anything that doesn’t involve snow appears to be a completely different challenge. The lessons I have learned, the people I have met, and the experiences I have had will stay with me and help shape future decisions and projects.
Last but not least, you can of course also create your own Bhutan adventure.
The team behind the Trans Bhutan Trail is the perfect local partner for anyone interested in exploring the kingdom on foot. They can fully customize a hiking or trail running itinerary for individuals, couples, or groups of any size. Simply tell them what kind of experience you are looking for, how much time you have available, and they will put together a proposal tailored to your interests. So, if Bhutan is on your bucket list, don’t hesitate to get in touch with them directly: www.transbhutantrail.com.