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KHARDUNG LA CHALLENGE (5370m)

The Khardung La Challenge (72km) is the highest Ultra Marathon in the World. This race is amongst the Toughest and Ultimate Challenging Endurance Race for the serious runner who wants to push his or her limits to the extreme. This race is Only for the fittest and very experienced runners. The harsh conditions makes this extremely tough as you will be running approximately 60km of the race at above 4000m (14,000ft)!!! Hence the number of participants to this race is restricted to a maximum of 250 runners. This race is scheduled for Friday 06 September 2024 to ensure singular logistical focus and attention to the participants and to make this ultra-marathon a prestigious event.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COURSE

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17618.11 ft 18044.62 ft 14763.78 ft 13943.57 ft 12335.96 ft 13123.36 ft 11486.22 ft 15583.99 ft 5 km Khardung Village 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 2 km Soup & Layering off 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km 5 km South Pulu Mendak Mor Leh Market Layering off North Pulu Layering off Khardung Top

RACE DETAILS

DISTANCE

72km


REPORTING PLACE & TIME

NDS Stadium grounds Leh – on Thursday 05 September at 8 am

DATE

Friday 06 September 2024


AGE LIMIT

Participant should be 20 years or older as on race day

RACE START TIME

3 am on Friday 06 September – Khardung Village


CERTIFICATION

Finisher Certificate will be given to participants who attain / reach “Finisher” stage with official time along with a medal

ELIGIBILITY:

Participant who fulfils any one option listed below is eligible to APPLY with a non-refundable application fee of Rs 3,000
a) Finisher of 2023 Ladakh Marathon (42km) OR Khardungla Challenge (72km)
b) Finisher of two full marathon under 5hr within the eligibility period (atleast one run after 1st Jan'23)
c) Finisher of previous years Ladakh Marathon (42km) AND one full marathon under 5hr after 1st Jan'23
d) Finisher of EITHER two 70km ultra marathons under 11hr within the eligibility period (atleast one run after 1st Jan'23) OR two ultra marathons over 70km with a pace of 6km/hr (atleast one run after 1st Jan'23)
e) Finisher of a full marathon under 5hr AND a 50km ultra under 6hr within the eligibility period (atleast one run after 1st Jan'23)
f) Finisher of the 2022 Ladakh Marathon (42km) and one Full Marathon after 1st January 2023

Application will be confirmed once documents submitted towards eligibility criteria have been verified within 10 working days, after which payment link will be shared for balance registration fee. The Organiser reserves the right to disallow / disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in this run.

CUT OFF TIME:

The below will be strictly followed:

 
From To Distance(Km) Cut-Off Time Stage
Khardung Village(Start) Khardungla Top 32.2 11 am / 8 hrs I
Khardungla Top South Pulu 14.3 1:30 pm / 10 hrs 30 min II
South Pulu Mendak mor 12.1 3 pm / 12 hrs III
Mendak mor Leh Market(Finish) 13.4 5 pm / 14 hrs Finisher
 

Please note that these points and times are subject to change should the organisers deem it necessary. The final cut-off is at 14 hours (5 pm) and if you have not reached the cut off points within the given time as stated above, you must leave and retire from the race immediately and get on to a sweep vehicle. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

GETTING TO THE START POINT

Participants will have to report at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday 05 September 2024 at the NDS Stadium grounds in Leh. They will be transported to the race starting point at Khardung village where the accommodation is provided by the organisers in a homestay inclusive of meals. Participants are requested to bring out their own sleeping bags and headlamps.
Please note that the briefing for race will be conducted at NDS Stadium grounds just before departure to the starting point, and not at the starting point in Khardung village.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

KHARDUNGLA CHALLENGE (72KM)

The Khardung La Challenge begins at Khardung village (3975 m / 13,042 ft). The race route involves a gentle but steady climb to the top of Khardungla (5370 m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world. From here it is downhill all the way to Leh town (3500 m / 11,500 ft). Runners get spectacular mountain views of the Karakoram range and the Stok massif, running past mountain villages and summer pasture land of the yaks of the Nubra Valley and North Pulu.