Ladakh Marathon flagged off its 9th edition after 2 years of gap. The world’s highest marathon, Silk Route Ultra challenge (122 km) and Khardung La Challenge (72 km) concluded on September 9.

 A total of 255 runners, including 58 in the Silk Route Ultra Challenge and 197 in the Khardung La challenge participated.

Silk route ultra challenge was for the athletes who have been running the Khardung La challenge for several years and for those ultra runners and ironman athletes who always want to test their endurance further.  The race started at 7 pm on September 8 from Kyagar village, Nubra, and was concluded at Leh main market on September 9.  A total of 52 males and 6 females participated in Silk Route Ultra Challenge.

In the men’s category, the top three winners of the Silk Route Ultra Challenge are Rigzin Nurboo (14:57:09 hrs), Shabir Hussain (14:57:57 hrs), and Stanzin Phunchok (15:15:54 hrs).

In the Khardung La challenge, a total of 197 athletes, including 176 males and 21 females participated. The race began at 3 am from Khardung village and was concluded at Leh's main market.

In the men’s category, the top three winners of the Khardung La Challenge are Nawaz Hussain (6:47:20 hrs), Jigmet Stobdan (6:56:35 hrs), and Tsewang Kundan (6:56:39 hrs).  In the women’s category, the first position was bagged by Namgyal Lhamo (8:27:39 hrs) and the runner-up was Tsering Yangzom (9:45:06 hrs.)

All the top three winners of the men category in both the Silk route and Khardung La challenge are from Ladakh Scouts.