Western Ghats Running Foundation

WGRF is a not-for-profit foundation having a goal of creating awareness of nature, its conservation protecting natural habitat. We are committed towards creating social awareness towards our environment by hosting trail and mountain running marathons and races.

Our stage is the Sahyadri mountain range of Western Ghats, in Maharashtra. The funds that will be generated through our trail running and mountain running marathons will go towards protecting and conserving the mountains and forest trails of the Western Ghats.

The funds acquired through current and future events will be utilised for the conservation of  forests controlled by Maharashtra State Forest Department, and conservation of the protected forts & monuments of Maharashtra State Archeology Department.

SRT Ultra Marathon will be a charitable event and part of the proceeds will be donated wherever deemed to be fit to conserve forest land, and conservation of protected monuments of the State Archeology Department.

We are the sort of organisation, where all our current and future marathons will be fully volunteer driven. Volunteers are the true backbone of any marathon, and it is the volunteers who give the marathon its sole identity.

WGRF are committed to work together with their volunteers to give trail and mountain running the required scope to improve as a sport locally, while at the same time build a strong community of people respecting the environment and the sport.

If you want to be a part of our core volunteer team, please contact us on Facebook, Instagram or Gmail.

The Team

We are a small team from different backgrounds coming together for a unified purpose of conserving nature,  create awareness to protect the environment by hosting endurance filled Ultra Marathons!

Dighvijay Jedhe
Trustee

Mountain & trail running enthusiast. Farmer for lifetime, has a deep rooted connection with the Sahyadri ranges.

Amar Dhumal
Trustee

Trail runner, trekking expert, loves to do heavy workout  & power lifting. Works in Information Technology sector.

Shripal Oswal
Trustee

Trail running, climbing, trekking, and an expert businessman in everything related to  glass.

Maruti Gole
Trustee

Expert wrestler. Has climbed more than 600 forts in his lifetime. Maruti Gole has walked from Agra to Rajgad fort commemorating the escape of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Advocate by profession.

Mandar Mate
Trustee

Trekking enthusiast, outdoor & nature person, admirer of the Sahydri mountain range. He is climbing on Sinhagad fort every weekend more than last 2 decades. Building contractor.

Anil Pawar
Trustee

Social engineering is his passion, expert knowhow of Pune's Sahyadri Mountains, and its surrounding villages. Explorer of historical architecture. Farmer by profession.

Mahesh Malusare
Trustee

Founder of Sahyadri Trekkers Club, Founder of Sahyadri Garjana Dhol-Tasha Pathak, Cyclist, & nature Photographer.

Harish Gawai
Trustee

Banker by profession, but does not forget to run the trails before heading for office.

Harshad Rao
Member - Core Team

Mt.Everest Summiteer 2016, Mt.Kanchenjunga Summiteer 2018. Multi-sport athlete and of course a trail runner before climbing on to mountains. Former Software Professional.

Aditya Shinde
Member - Core Team

Expert mountaineer, outdoor & endurance sports enthusiast in trail running, trekking, mountaineering expeditions, skiing, paragliding. Works full time in a leading sports brand.

Kunal Bedarkar
Member - Core Team

Specialist in the sport of alpine climbing, un-supported climbing, slack-lining, ultimate frisbee,  mountaineering, speed trekking, triathlons, & marathons. Works in Information Technology sector.

Sujeet Takawane
Trustee

Handling of Photography & Videography department of SRT Ultra Marathon.