Bhutan International Marathon
Punakha, BT · Saturday 1 March 2025
The Bhutan International Marathon takes place in March 2025 in Punakha on a moderately hilly trail course that climbs through mountain terrain between 1,210 and 1,722 meters elevation. This is a genuine trail marathon rather than a road race, so expect technical footing and sustained climbing that will demand serious preparation and respect for the course. The race has been running since 2010 and attracts international runners seeking something beyond the standard marathon experience, with an emphasis on the journey through Bhutan's landscape rather than pure competition. Plan for a slow, grind-it-out effort on the hills, bring appropriate trail shoes with good traction, and arrive early to acclimate to the altitude before race day.
Difficulty Calculator
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Adjusted Time
4:54:26
Time difference: +54.4 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain471m
Elevation High1722m
Elevation Low1210m
Bhutan International Marathon 2025 Course Analysis
Bhutan International Marathon is a full marathon held in Punakha, BT, scheduled for Saturday 1 March 2025. The course is run on trail surface with 471m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 1722m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Bhutan International Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a hilly course with 471m of total elevation gain. The route climbs from 1210m to as high as 1722m above sea level — a substantial 512m elevation range. Runners should train on hills and plan for a more conservative pacing strategy, especially on the climbs.
Surface Type: Trail
Bhutan International Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
How Difficult Is Bhutan International Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for Bhutan International Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Bhutan International Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.