DARJEELING, December 14, 2025 : The majestic hills of Darjeeling today witnessed the thrilling culmination of the four-day Darjeeling Melo Tea Fest 2025, with thousands of runners battling the challenging terrain in the prestigious 12th Edition of the Darjeeling Hill Marathon.

_{^{Darjeeling Melo Tea Fest 2025 / Photo : Sudip Chanda}}

The marathon, a legacy event organized by the Darjeeling Police in collaboration with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and sponsored by Manipal Hospitals, drew over 4,000 participants from across India and international locations, including Kenya, Nepal, and Bhutan. Starting and finishing at the iconic Chowrasta (Mall Road), the ‘D-Run’ event, themed around determination, discipline, and drive, celebrated the endurance and indomitable spirit of the Queen of Hills.

_{^{Darjeeling Melo Tea Fest 2025 / Photo : Sudip Chanda}}

In the most competitive category, the 21K Open Run, the podium saw a blend of international and national talent. While official results are still being compiled, the competitive spirit was evident as athletes pushed their limits on the arduous mountain course. Last year’s competition saw a Kenyan athlete and a runner from Bihar clinch the top spots, setting a high standard for this year’s hopefuls.

_{^{Strength does not come from physical capacity / Photo: Sudip Chanda}}

• The marathon offered a substantial total prize money of ₹9.8 lakh, distributed across various categories.
• Categories included the 21K Open, 21K Age Group divisions, 10K Open, and the 10K Police Open Run, ensuring a fiercely contested race for all participants.

Runners universally praised the breathtaking route, which showcased Darjeeling’s stunning natural beauty, along with the enthusiastic cheers and constant encouragement from local communities lining the course.

_{^{Age is just a number / Photo : Sudip Chanda}}

The Darjeeling Hill Marathon marked the grand finale of the third edition of the Melo Tea Fest, a vibrant cultural extravaganza held from December 11th to 14th. The festival, hosted at Chowrasta, served as a powerful initiative by the Darjeeling Police to promote community policing, heritage, music, and adventure tourism.

D-Rock: The open rock music competition, both in English and Nepali, was a major draw, boasting a whopping ₹28 lakh in prize money. Nearly 130 bands registered, with the top 18 performing over the festival days. Headline acts included celebrated artists like Purna Rai, Mantra, and Chakra.

D-Hike: Adventure tourism was a key focus, with the re-introduction of the historic Tenzing Norgay Trail in Rangaroong, adding to the 16 existing hiking routes promoted to boost the rural economy.

D-MTB: The mountain biking competition, with a prize pool of ₹2 lakh, attracted adventure enthusiasts and reinforced Darjeeling’s reputation as a prime destination for adventure sports.

D-Startup: A new feature this year, providing free space for over 40 emerging local entrepreneurs to showcase everything from handicrafts to agro-produce, highlighting grassroots innovation.

_{^{Run Run Run / Photo : Sudip Chanda}}

The Melo Tea Fest and the Hill Marathon are a significant community policing initiative, aimed at establishing peace, development, and community-centric growth. The blend of cultural showcasing, musical extravaganza, and adventurous sports is projected to have given a major boost to tourism and youth livelihood in the region. As the curtains close on the 2025 edition, organizers have successfully celebrated the “rhythm, endurance, and indomitable spirit of Darjeeling,” leaving visitors and locals alike eagerly anticipating the next year’s celebration.