FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The race will start at 6:30 AM on Sunday, 6 September, 2026. The reporting time is 5:30 AM.

Expo for PBG SHHM 2026 will be held on September 4 & 5, 2026.

Expo Time (Day 1): 12PM - 7PM (Local Runners) Expo Time (Day 2): 10AM - 6PM (Outstation Runners)

The address for the Expo Venue is Abhaysinhraje Sanskrutik Bhavan, Shendre Fata, Shendre, Satara – 415 004.

Please visit the SHHM Expo page for more information.

Yes, the Satara Hill Half Marathon is an officially timed event. Electronic Timing Chips will be used to record finish timings of each runner.

Registrations for PBG SHHM 2026 are going to be carried out in two phases:

1. Registration STEP 1, and 2. Final Registrations.

Every participant should pre-register themselves to be eligible for final registrations.

Registration STEP 1 start from Apr 6, 2026 at 6:00AM to Apr 9, 2026 at 6:00PM.

Final Registrations start on Starts on Apr 12, 2026 at 6:00AM until slots are filled until all slots are filled.

You can register at the SHHM registration page after registration dates are declared.

Registration for PBG SHHM 2026 will happen in two steps.

Every year, due to popular demand for our event, there's a lot of rush on registration day. Runners often end up filling incorrect information as they try to complete their registration form online hastily. Many runners also miss their chance to register as the available slots usually fill up in a couple of hours.

That's why we've introduced a two step process, that'll help everyone to get a fair chance to register for their favorite Half Marathon.

Due to limited options for accommodation, we always recommend that our runners book accommodation first & then register for Satara. That's also why we have introduced registration in two steps (Registration STEP 1 and STEP 2) so that runners who have completed Registration STEP 1 get time to look out for accommodation & then go for Registration STEP 2, once their accommodation was sorted out. If they are unable to find accommodation, they can choose to opt out of the Registration STEP 2.

All Athletes who successfully complete Registration STEP 1 between Apr 6, 2026 at 6:00AM to Apr 9, 2026 at 6:00PM will become eligible for the Registration STEP 2 (Final STEP) for PBG SHHM 2026.

However, Registration STEP 1 DOES NOT GUARANTEE a slot to run in PBG SHHM 2026.

Registration STEP 2 will start on Starts on Apr 12, 2026 at 6:00AM until slots are filled (will be closed as soon as the available spots fill up).

Only those who have completed Registration STEP 1 will be able to confirm their registration by completing their payment on Starts on Apr 12, 2026 at 6:00AM until slots are filled, as long as tickets in their category are available.

So, make sure to complete the Registration STEP 1 between Apr 6, 2026 at 6:00AM to Apr 9, 2026 at 6:00PM to qualify for a chance to register on Starts on Apr 12, 2026 at 6:00AM until slots are filled.

Candidates who've not completed Registration STEP 1 won't be eligible for the Registration STEP 2, and therefore cannot attend this year's event.

Dates for Registration STEP 1 and final registrations are as follows:

Registration STEP 1: Apr 6, 2026 at 6:00AM to Apr 9, 2026 at 6:00PM. Final Registrations: Starts on Apr 12, 2026 at 6:00AM until slots are filled until all slots are filled.

Please visit the SHHM registration page for more details.

For Outstation: ₹ 2500 + GST For Local: ₹ 1700 + GST For Charity: ₹ 5000 + GST

GST and Processing fees extra as applicable.

Our aim as organizers is to promote & propagate the sport of Distance Running in our predominantly semi-rural & rural communities. To that end, we offer lower rates for registration to local runners, in comparison to outstation runners.

Sorry, no cancellations/transfers are possible and registration fees are non-refundable.

In most cases, this is due to a communication gap between the payment gateway and the server due to network traffic issues during the registration rush. Please do not panic.

The confirmation email from our registrations partner (IndiaRunning) should usually reach you within a few hours. If the payment has been credited to our account, you will receive your confirmation email automatically. However, if in rare cases that does not happen and if you need further support, please email us at [email protected] with details of your registration – date of registration, name, and mail id and we will follow up to ensure the problem is tracked and dealt with.

The SHHM is a very popular event & is much in demand. The demand is far in excess of the available registration slots. However, the organizers cannot increase the registrations due to logistical issues. The organizers want to maintain the high standards set in the past, ensuring a flawless & memorable experience for all runners. Additionally, the accommodation options like Hotels, etc are also limited in a small city like Satara, posing an additional challenge, especially for Outstation runners.

All registrations will be scrutinized. Any Outstation runners found to have registered in the Local category will be DISQUALIFIED. The registration charges will be refunded only AFTER DEDUCTING penalty + processing fees (total ₹ 500).

No, the local category is ONLY for runners who are permanently residing in Satara district currently. You will have to produce proof of residence at the time of BIB collection if you register under the Local category. If you fail to produce required proof, you will be disqualified.

Registrations will happen online only. Please visit the SHHM Registrations page for more details.

As per local rules and regulations, loudspeakers, music and public announcement systems cannot be used before 6:00 AM.

We are runners ourselves, and we fully understand that an earlier start means cooler conditions - especially for our back-of-the-pack runners who spend longer on the course.

However, we also need to respect the rules.

The pre-race warm-up, important instructions and line-up therefore begin after 6:00 AM, and the Half Marathon is flagged off at 6:30 AM sharp.

The race starts on time, so please be at the Start well in advance.

There are four Line-Up sections at SHHM: LINE UP - Elite (E), A, B & C.

Section Elite (E) is right upfront at the Starting line. It is for the ELITE category of runners, the ones who've submitted the fastest qualifying times / are contenders for a podium finish.

Section A is just behind section Elite (E), for the relatively fast runners expected to finish the run in approx. 2 hours.

It is followed by the intermediate runners in Section B & the last section is Section C, which is farthest from the Start Point / Timing Mat.

The Qualifying criteria for participation in SHHM & Seeding / Line Up section allotment for PBG SHHM 2026 are as follows:

1. It is not compulsory to have a Timing Certificate from a previous event to participate. However, we strongly advise you to train well for the event, especially if this is your first event. Follow one of our training programs to make sure you reach the Starting line fully prepared.

2. Those who do not have / cannot provide any Timing Certificate from a previous event will be automatically allotted Line-Up section C.

3. If you wish to have a better seeding / Line Up section (Elite (E), A or B), then please provide your Finish Time certificate or Results link from a Half or Full Marathon event held on or after 1 January last year. Timing certificate submitted once cannot be changed or upgraded.

Special Medal Categories: Every finisher will get a finisher’s medal & an online certificate with the finishing time. However, to make it more exciting, challenging & fulfilling for the runners, we have three categories of finisher’s medals in the Half Marathon event, according to different cut-off times as follows:

Medal Cut-Off Times: - Hill Champion: 2 Hrs. - Hill Conqueror: 2 Hrs. 30 Min. - Hill Challenger: 4 Hrs. (No Medal After 4 Hours)

The race starts at 6:30 AM sharp. The cut-off times will be strictly implemented as per the recorded chip time.

The time considered for the Medal Category will start only when you cross the Timing mat at the Start line.

Please note that the Finisher Medals as well as your Ranking and Official Timing will be as per Chip time, starting when you cross the timing mat at the starting line.

With thousands of runners crossing the Start, those towards the back of the starting line up may take up to 10 minutes to reach the actual Start line. But don't worry - your performance and medal category are based on your Chip Time, not Gun Time.

So, if those lost few minutes mean that you initially receive a lower medal category at the Finish - for example, you qualify for a Hill Champion (Gold) instead of Hill Conqueror, or Hill Conqueror (Silver) instead of Hill Challenger - simply visit our Medal Change Counter at the Finish Line.

Once your Chip Time is verified, your medal will be changed to the one you have earned.

So start on time. Run your race well. Your Chip Time counts.

Prize money is distributed in various age groups for both men and women. You can see the Age Categories and other Prize Money related details including rules and regulations on our Prizes page.

Due to the high influx of runners, hotels in Satara fill up rapidly. We recommend booking your stay well in advance.

Please explore nearby areas like Wai, Mahabaleshwar, or Panchgani (within 30-45 minutes drive) if central Satara hotels are fully occupied.

Training programs are published on the SHHM website. Group training runs and Hill training sessions are announced via our official social media channels and runner groups.

If you live in flat terrain, focus on bridge repeats, flyover climbs, treadmill incline workouts (4-8% incline), stair climbing, and strength training (squats, lunges, calf raises, core stability) to build leg stamina for Yawateshwar Hill.