Jet Airways Fun Run Series kicks off with the Darjeeling Monsoon Mist Heritage Run, 1-7 September 2011

Friday, 5 August 2011:  In a new initiative to showcase the fascinating sights and sounds of India, Jet Airways is launching its Jet Airways Fun Run Series, the first of its kind by any airline. The first Fun Run is scheduled from 1- 7 September amidst the beautiful mountainous landscape of Darjeeling. The Jet Airways Fun Runs are themed according to the geographic and historic nature of the location. Each event typically lasts for a few days with the run taking place, typically on a Sunday morning. The Fun Run Series is intended to also showcase the key attractions and awe-inspiring landmarks of various unique locations in India. This first run, appropriately themed as Darjeeling Monsoon Mist Heritage Run, highlights the recurring mists in the area as a result of the monsoon season. Located in the Himalayas at 2,050m, Darjeeling was a popular summer retreat for the British residents in the mid-19th century. Today it is synonymous for its tea plantations and is also recognized for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
In this inaugural race in Darjeeling, participants will run along Darjeeling’s undulating high altitude terrain passing key scenic spots.  The full run, spans a stretch of 12 Km; starting at one-time world’s highest railway station; Ghoom Railway Station, the highest point at 2260m, coursing through the picturesque Himalayan mountains and culminating in the world renowned Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (2130m), at the resting stone of Tenzing Norgay. The half-run ends at the 7.5km mark at the historical Darjeeling Station. Along the route, runners will run past the heritage landmarks of Ghoom Monastery, the Batasia Loop, Dali Fatak, West Point, Ganeshgram, the historic St Andrew Church, Darjeeling Municipality, Chauk Bazaar, Chowrasta and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
“India has so much to offer and the Jet Airways Fun Run Series has been created to offer running enthusiasts in the region an opportunity to enjoy running in uniquely exhilarating locations,” said Mr. Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.
 “For the Jet Airways team, this is our way to help our customers discover new experiences in various parts of India,” added Mr. Raghavan.
 “This is the first time that such an event has been organised in Darjeeling with September being an ideal period to show the beauty of the area and the unique monsoon mists. We are very proud to work closely with Jet Airways to make the Darjeeling Monsoon Mist Heritage Run a pleasantly memorable event for all international participants. We hope the Jet Airways Fun Run Series will help heighten greater awareness of the conservation of our beautiful architecture and heritage of Darjeeling” said Mr Gautam Deb, North Bengal Development Minister, Government of West Bengal.

Together with this run event, special activities highlighting the unique attractions of Darjeeling are also included. They include unique guided Heritage walks around the significant sights, tea estate visit with a special tea tasting session and exclusive chartered joy-rides on the Darjeeling Himalayan railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Post event itinerary touring options are also available.  Subsequent runs are in the pipeline and will be designed to capture the unique flavours of each region. 
For Participants
The Jet Airways Fun Run Series is opened to participants from selected countries in Asia Pacific; namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia & New Zealand. 
For Singapore, the package is priced from SGD1,499 and for Hong Kong, the package is priced from HKD9,500. Package price includes airfare, surcharges, airport taxes, hotel accommodation, meals, sightseeing & registration for the race. Participants in Singapore who sign up by 5 August will receive a discount of S$100 per couple.
~etravelblackboardasia