The Ladakh Marathon is gearing up for its 11th edition, scheduled to take place from September 5th to 8th, 2024. This year, 6,218 runners from around the world will compete across six categories, showcasing the event’s global appeal.

The official T-shirt launch event was held on August 8 at Hotel Grand Dragon, with Chairman/CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson, LAHDC Leh, as the chief guest, and ADGP Dr. S.D. Singh Jamwal as the guest of honor. The vibrant T-shirts, available in "Glowing Red" and "Yellow Alert," will be distributed to 6,000 participants. PUMA India, the official sportswear partner, will also provide performance gear.

Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Running is rapidly growing globally, and PUMA is committed to supporting this trend."

The event was also attended by Dy. Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk; Secretary, Tourism, Ladakh, Vikram Singh Malik; Deputy Commissioner/CEO, Santosh Sukhadeve; SSP, Leh, Shruti Arora; Founder and Race Director of the Ladakh Marathon, Chewang Motup Goba; Air Force Officers; Managing Director of The Grand Dragon, Ladakh, Ghulam Mustafa, and other dignitaries.

The Ladakh Marathon is renowned for its challenging courses, especially the Silk Route Ultra, a 122-kilometer race that ascends from Nubra Valley at 10,700 feet to Khardung La Pass at 17,618 feet, higher than Everest Base Camp. This year, 68 elite ultra-runners will take on this formidable challenge, with historically less than 50% completing it. The Khardung La Challenge will feature a record 311 participants, including 40 women, highlighting the marathon's growing global appeal. In addition to the ultra-distance events, the marathon offers various distances to accommodate runners of all levels.

Chewang Motup Goba, Founder and Race Director of the Ladakh Marathon, remarked, “The evolution of the Ladakh Marathon into a major event is inspiring. We are proud to see Ladakhi runners rise to prominence, representing India internationally and excelling in various marathons.”

Chairman/CEC Tashi Gyalson, LAHDC Leh, praised and congratulated the team on the launch of the marathon’s official T-shirt. He emphasized Ladakh's growing global impact and its reputation as a prestigious and challenging marathon. CEC Gyalson also highlighted his personal commitment to the marathon, noting his participation in the 11.5 km event and expressing his intention to run again. The LAHDC and UT administration remain dedicated to providing comprehensive support for the marathon.