Tuffman Shimla Half Marathon 2026

This was my second time running Tuffman Mashobra. I had loved running these roads in 2025, when I finished ninth, so coming back was an easy decision. A few friends and I made a week of it: we spent four days near the Ridge, worked from Shimla, found our favourite cafés and views, and went out for late-night walks along the Ridge. It was a very good way to arrive at race weekend.

We then moved to a homestay near Mashobra, where the hospitality and home-cooked food were exceptional. Another friend from our Delhi running group joined us there for what would be her first trail race. I had also bought the HOKA Mafate 5 in Japan specifically for this run and was excited to finally try them on a proper trail.

The race itself was much harder for me than the previous year, and I performed poorly in comparison. It was extremely hot, and the shoes felt heavy, as if they were absorbing energy with every step. On the descent towards the 10.5-kilometre U-turn, I struck a stone and broke my left toenail. From that point on, every footfall felt like someone was hitting my toe with a hammer.

I slowed down, alternating between walking and an easy jog, and still found plenty to enjoy in the mountain views. My friend from Delhi finished second among the women, only a minute behind the winner, which was exactly the kind of debut I had expected from her. I also met many runners I remembered from the previous year and others I keep crossing paths with at events around the country. Tuffman Mashobra has a lot of elevation gain and loss, but it is worth it. I would happily recommend it to anyone looking to try trail running.