On behalf of the Bhutan International Marathon (BIM), the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), BIM stakeholders, volunteers and staff wish to extend to all international participants a safe travel to Bhutan. We look forward to meeting all competitors and supporting you in your race experience and during your stay. In that effort we’re offering some preliminary event information that will help you plan prior to traveling to Bhutan.
Route and Finish Area: For the 11th Edition of the BIM the Finish Line will be at the Kaja Throm in Khuruthag. The Starting points for the Full marathon (42.2km) will be from Yemina, Gasa and for the Half Marathon (21km) from Wokuna, Punakha. Overview of the route will be posted on our website (25th Feb) and also briefed during the Pre-race briefing on the 28th of Feb 2025 4pm.
Marshalls and chip timing will be placed along the route to track the runners and their location.
Finishers Medal and Certificate: At the finish line, finishers will receive a finisher’s certificate & medal. Please collect your certificate and medal at the finish line.
Aid Stations: We will disclose final aid station locations and supplies at our pre-race briefing. With the gracious support from our local hospitality partners, aid stations will have water, coke, bananas and other supplies. There will be 10 aid stations along the route placed about 4-6 km apart.
Cut Off Time: Our race cut off time for both events is 3:30 PM. We will be shutting down timing and aid stations at that time. If you wish to continue on your own accord you may do so.
Post Race Dinner: For the 11th Edition, there will NOT be a dinner after the event. In that regard, do plan your travel accordingly.
Pre-Race Clothing Bag: The event will provide a bag you can use to store your pre-race clothing. These bags will be collected at the start of your race. You can pick up your bag at the finish line. Do not place valuable items in your pre-race bag as we will not be liable for any loss of items.
Race Bag Pick Up and Pre Race Briefing: The mandatory Pre Race Briefing will take place on Friday the 28th of February, 2025 at the Khuruthang Multi-Sports Hall. The BOC team will hand out BIBs, Race bags and brief the runners on the route of the Marathon. You may visit the multi-sports hall on the 28th of February between 9 am and 6 pm.
Volunteers: Many of our volunteers are quite new to volunteering at a race. Please be open to working with them in getting what you need at the aid stations and remember to thank them for their support! There will also be volunteers at the suspension bridge to assist runners that may have a fear of heights in crossing the bridge, do not hesitate to take their hand and cross the bridge. They will be wearing WHITE T-shirts
Race Day Itinerary:
- 5:45 AM – Full marathon participants report to Khuruthang Bus parking (Below Khuruthang MSH)
- 6:45 AM – Half marathon participants report to Khuruthang Bus parking (Below Khuruthang MSH)
- 8:30AM – Flag-off full marathon
- 8:30 AM – Flag-off half marathon
- 3:30 PM – Race Cut Off – aid stations will be pulled and timing will be shut off.
ALTITUDE: The altitude on the race course in Punakha will be about 1510 m above sea level and for full marathon participants, the altitude at the starting point in Gasa (Yemina) will be about 1970m, Half Marathon starting point about 1350m and the finish line about 1210m above sea level. For those of you coming from sea level, you will still notice that the altitude on the race course will affect your normal running pace. Unless you have an opportunity to acclimate prior to your arrival, the best way to prepare for the altitude is to hydrate well prior to and during the race, and to slow your regular pace on race day. FYI: In the past decade of this event we have had no participant health issues related to the altitude.
WEATHER: The temperature at the event site will be from mid to high 30’s+ F (1-3 C) in the early morning to 60-70’s+ F (18-20+ C) during the day—quite pleasant for running, though it can get warm on the exposed latter part of the course. The start of the marathon event is mostly under tree cover in a river gorge, so it will be chilly at the start, prior to the valley opening up to the sun about mid-way. Bring appropriate layers to remain warm prior to the race. You can leave those items in a bag which will be transported to the finish line.
Important Information for Indian BIM Participants:
If you are not traveling with a Bhutanese guide in Bhutan, you are required to obtain your route permit at the Immigration Office in downtown Thimphu on or before the 28th February as it’s a national holiday (office hours are 9-5). It is imperative that you get your route permit at this time or else you will not be able to pass the checkpoint on your way to Punakha.
Please have your ID with you in order to obtain your permit.
All Others: If you are an Indian National or an International participant from another country and are traveling with a Bhutanese guide/ travel agent, your guide will obtain your route permit for you.
Ex-Pat and SAARC PERMIT REMINDER: Ex-Pat and SAARC participants will need to obtain a route permit to get to Punakha. You can obtain this required permit at no charge, in either Phuntsholing or Thimphu immigration offices. Please schedule time to make this happen. [All other international participant route permits will be taken care of by your travel agent]
We will cover all additional aspects of the event at our pre-race briefing, but if you have any questions or concerns prior, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please join us on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates and announcements. We’d love to hear about your prep for the race and trip.
We look forward to your arrival in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
A feedback form will be emailed to your account for your valuable feedbacks on the event so we can also try improve the experience for you.
