BRUTE 5.0 sees record participation as India’s top ultra trail runners converge in Arunachal's Basar

The fifth edition of the Basar Running Ultra Trail Experience, popularly known as BRUTE 5.0, commenced with an impressive surge in participants, drawing elite runners and fitness enthusiasts from across India to one of the Northeast’s largest ultra trail marathons.

MLA of Basar Assembly Constituency, Nyabi Jini Dirchi, flagged off the 50 km, 30 km, 10 km and 5 km races on Sunday as the Chief Patron of the event. He was joined by young ZPM Iter Bam, Chief Engineer PHED Er. Tomo Basar, BRUTE 5.0 Chairman Er. Nyali Basar, and GRK General Secretary Tami Lombi during the opening ceremony.

BRUTE has evolved into an internationally recognised platform celebrating endurance sports, cultural diversity, sustainable tourism, and community wellness. The race route — marked by rivers, rugged slopes, dense forest trails and traditional village landscapes — has made the event a unique experience for runners worldwide.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Nyabi urged youth to stay away from drug abuse, alcohol and tobacco, and to instead adopt running and physical fitness as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Former MLA Bokar Basar, sharing his thoughts with the media, said that BRUTE has become an integral identity of Basar and extended warm wishes to participants who travelled from different parts of the country and abroad, hoping they carry home lasting memories of their time in Leparada.

The marathon owes its successful execution to the initiative of GRK (Gumin Rego Kilaju), Indian Trailways, RunMonks, RaceTime India, and the entire BRUTE 5.0 Organising Committee. Significant support was also provided by the 49th ITBP Battalion, Basar, including Second-in-Command Khan Fahad and Subedar Major N. Sanjit Singh, ensuring security and smooth operation throughout the event.

With each edition, BRUTE continues to boost adventure tourism in Arunachal Pradesh while empowering local communities and showcasing the region’s breathtaking natural terrain to the world.