AFI set to host twin continental ultra running championships in Bengaluru in 2020 & 2021

In a big boost to ultra running in the country, Athletics Federation of India is set to host 24 Hour Asia and Oceania Championships next year and the 100 Km Asia and Oceania Championships in 2021 in Bengaluru.

Ultra running is any foot race longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195kms and the event has got some attention of the public in recent times, more so after India won an individual and team medal in the 2018 24 Hour Asia and Oceania Championships in Taipei.

Ultra races are contested either over a set distance -- like 50km, 100km and longer events -- or a set time -- like 6hr, 24hr and multi-day events.

The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) is the world governing body of the discipline.

A team of officials, led by IAU chief Nadeem Khan, has inspected the facilities in Bengaluru which will be the venues for the two continental events.

NEB Sports will the sponsors of both the events, which are coming to India for the first time.

"We want to develop ultra .