Runners participating from all over the world gears up for the Ladakh Marathon, 6th edition to be held on September 9 and 10 in Leh.  Around 6000 participants from different parts of the country will be part of the marathon.

Addressing a press conference on September 8, Chewang Motup, Rimo Expedition Director also the organizer of Ladakh Marathon said, “This year the participants for the Ladakh Marathon have grown manifold. Participants from 27 countries will be part of the Ladakh marathon.  The main aim of the marathon is to bring Ladakh in the mainstream among the national and international athletes and also to provide a platform for the young runners of the Ladakh region.”

PT Kunzang said, “Ladakh Marathon is being organized every year starting from the year 2012 with an aim to spread the message of leading fit and healthy lifestyle and to provide an opportunity to the young athletes of the Ladakh region to realize their potential.”

“Every year the participants are increasing in numbers which are also giving a boost to the tourism sector”, he added.

The main race of the Ladakh marathon, The Khardong la challenge will start on 9 September in which runners including 15 locals, 103 from other parts of the country and 16 foreigners will be participating.

Talking about the facilities, Chewang Motup, Rimo Expedition Director and the organizer of Ladakh Marathon, said, “The runners will be accommodated by the households of Khardong village also after every 5 km an aid station will be there where the refreshments and necessary facilities will be provided for the runners.”

The other three races, Run for fun, Half Marathon and Full Marathon will be held on 10 September which will start and finish at NDS Ground.

The four sub events of the Ladakh Marathon are:

Run for fun (7 km race): The shortest race with maximum participation will start from NDS ground via Tia Rong till ITBP gate and back at NDS ground.

 

Half Marathon (21 km race): The runners will start from NDS, taking the route of Saboo, Mahabodhi, taking the loop of Shey Sindhu Ghat road and from Jevetsal Choglamsar route the runners will be back at NDS.

 

Full Marathon (42 km race): Starting from NDS the runners will take the route of Choglamsar Zampa, Chuchot, Stakna, Rambirpur, Thiksay, Shey Church road, Sindhu Ghat, Jevetsal, Tia rong and back at NDS.

 

The Khardongla Challenge: the main race of the marathon will start from Khardong village at 3 AM on September 9. Passing the Khardong la pass the race will finish at Leh Main Market.