The Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, held at an altitude of 4,225 meters, was recorded in the Guinness World Records as the world’s highest frozen lake marathon when it was first introduced. This year, the marathon returned for its third edition on February 24 and 25, drawing over 300 participants from the USA, Nepal, Korea, Australia, and India. The event aimed to raise awareness about climate change, the melting of glaciers, and the pressing need to conserve water resources.

Runners competed in five categories: 55 km, 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, and the 5 km "Run for Fun." The event was organized by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh, powered by The Thin Ice Adventures and the PHE Department, with support from the UT Administration, LAHDC, the Indian Army, ITBP, and other stakeholders.

The final day of the marathon witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including GoC Uniform Force, IG ITBP Dr. Akun Sabharwal, Secretary of Agriculture/Transport/Animal Husbandry/SIDCO UT Ladakh Bhupesh Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner Leh Santosh Sukhdeve, LAHDC Councillor Konchok Stanzin, Sangha Councillor Konchok Tsepel, SP UTDRF, and other dignitaries.

Chamba Tsetan, the pioneer of the Frozen Pangong Lake Marathon, emphasized that the event continues to grow while staying true to its original objectives—promoting winter tourism and raising awareness about climate change. He highlighted Ladakh’s potential to expand its tourism industry beyond the summer months, with the marathon serving as a key initiative to encourage winter tourism.

LAHDC Councillor Konchok Stanzin, representing the Chushul constituency, pointed out that such events significantly benefit local homestays and hotels. Many native businesses struggle to compete with larger chains and non-local service providers during the peak summer season. He expressed optimism that initiatives like these would gain more attention and a broader platform to promote winter tourism in the future.

Participants shared their excitement about the adventure and underscored the marathon’s mission to advocate for urgent environmental and climate action.

Among the 300 runners, several stood out as champions in their respective categories:

The third edition of the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon successfully combined adventure sports with environmental advocacy, further solidifying Ladakh’s reputation as a premier winter tourism destination.