Come November 2, and Bengaluru’s Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Road, commonly known as NICE Road, will transform from a congested stretch of tarmac to an ode to Karnataka’s glorious past. The reason? The Hoysala Hustle, a run that celebrates the history and legacy of theState, described by the organisers, Bhasin Sports, as “a carefully designed cultural odyssey on foot.”
According to Ankur Bhasin, the race director and co-founder of Bhasin Sports, the run was named for its theme based on the heritage of Karnataka. Among the most prominent rulers of these lands were the Hoysalas, who are best known for their intricate star-shaped temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura.
The Hoysala Hustle, which he describes as “India’s first thematic run,” promises to be a deeply immersive experience that goes far beyond merely running. “Every single kilometre is going to have an installation or performance based on Karnataka’s heritage and culture.”
These include installations of the Mysore Palace, the Hampi Chariot, Jog Falls, and the Channapatna Toys, as well as performances by a Yakshagana troupe, Huli Vesha dancers, and Dollu Kunita drummers. “When you run the Hoysala Hustle, you’re not just covering kilometres. You’re running through centuries of history, art, and resilience. Every stride will carry the pride of Karnataka.”
The ancient Hoysala Sri Moole Shankareshvara Temple in Turuvekere in Tumakuru district | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K
The Hoysala Hustle, which is divided into three race categories — 21K, 10K, and 5K, is the latest entrant in a series of runs organised by Bhasin Sports, which describes itself as a sports organiser and a sports technology company. The co-founder of the company, Sushil Kumar Bhasin, Ankur’s father, was someone who fell in love with running in his early sixties. “He had a solitary kidney from birth, which was operated upon, and is diabetic and has been on insulin for 25 years,” he says. And yet, despite this, he celebrated his 75th birthday this August by running 128 km. “He is a world record holder…the world’s fastest 200 miler as well as the only 300 and 500 miler in his age category.”
Bhasin Sports, established in 2017, came out of Sushil’s passion for ultra-long-distance running. In Ankur’s opinion, his father’s ability to keep running, despite the challenges he encountered, was an inspiration to others. “This is why we started our journey of inculcating fitness as an asset in the minds of people.”
Jog Falls after intense rains in Sagar taluk | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Hoysala Hustle, he says, is the first of a series of runs on the road, spearheaded by Bhasin Sports. Typically, except for the Deccan Ultra, which occurs on a highway, most ultra runs occur on trails, “where we can enjoy nature while we run.”
When the organisation began thinking about a new project to encourage more long-distance road running, the air was fraught with heated conversations about Bengaluru’s ongoing language debate.
“You kept hearing about language clashes, and I felt it came from people not really understanding the cultural heritage we have and why we should be proud of it,” says Ankur, who has roots in Delhi but has been in Bengaluru for 33 years and is married to a Kannadiga. “I have two kids, and we always try to find ways that are engaging and exciting for them to learn about culture.”
A Yakshagana performance | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
That was how the Hoysala Hustle, “a run that celebrates Karnataka,” came into being, relates Ankur, who believes that incorporating aspects of heritage into a run could spark interest in our past and increase footfall at important monuments and sites.
A police band performs in front of the Mysuru Palace on Friday as part of the Dasara celebrations. | Photo Credit: Sriram MA
He also seeks to go beyond Karnataka and extend the scope of these runs to other parts of India. “We want to pick up different parts of India and celebrate the culture of that land,” he says. “So, if you went to Tamil Nadu, it would probably be called a Chola Hustle.”
As someone who travels a lot and meets people from different ethnicities and backgrounds, he feels that such events can go beyond creating awareness about heritage. “With people knowing about different cultures and our shared heritage, there will be more harmony.”
To know more about the Hoysala Hustle or to register for it, log in to the Bhasin Sports website
Published - October 22, 2025 03:56 pm IST
