ABOUT THE LADAKH MARATHON
The Ladakh Marathon is the highest and amongst the toughest marathons. Out of the six races, the event offers two ultra races – the 72 km Khardung La Challenge (5370 m) which is presently the World’s Highest Ultra Marathon and the 122 km Silk Route Ultra which will be the epitome of high altitude running testing the limits of human endurance.
Unlike other marathons, the Ladakh Marathon requires participants to arrive in Leh atleast a week in advance to acclimatise for race day. You are running at 3500 m above sea level so it is imperative that you get acclimatised to the high altitude.
The various races take place in and around Leh, the historic capital of Ladakh and offer participants the unique opportunity to run with local people of Ladakh through the most beautiful landscape offering stunning vistas of mountains, rivers and valleys. It will leave you with lifelong memories and a chance to say you ran the Ladakh Marathon .
Ladakh Marathon became a full member of AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) in 2015 and has been profiled in various International Sports magazines and listed as being amongst the most beautiful breathtaking and awe-inspiring marathons in the world.
DEAR RUNNERS
July 13, 2021
Leh, Ladakh
Dear Runners,
Recently we have seen a surge of tourist activity in Ladakh, undoubtedly due to a decline in
cases following the devastating second wave. We are all united by the hope of returning to
the previous carefree days of travel. However, we cannot help but consider the manner with
which healthcare resources in Ladakh have been stretched thin.
The success of Ladakh Marathon has been due to the support of the local administration:
the police, volunteers, armed forces and healthcare workers. The Ladakh Marathon, as
many may know, was created to encourage determination and resilience in our youth. We
strongly believe that these qualities are not compatible with, and are in fact contradicted
by, short-sightedness and complacence.
Our observation of the ongoing windfall of tourists, and increasing anxiety regarding a third
wave, has helped us come to this resolution. With the health and wellbeing of this
community, including all the runners and their supporters, as our number one priority, we
have come to the difficult but necessary decision to cancel all the races of the 9th Edition of
the Ladakh Marathon which were supposed to be held 8th -12th September.
We are optimistic that the 2022 Ladakh Marathon will continue the tradition to hold the
event with the full support of the runners, the local community and administration.
For those who registered in 2020, your registrations will be valid for the 9th Edition to be
held in 2022 from Thursday 7th to Sunday 11th September.
We advise everyone to be judicious in following COVID-19 safety guidelines.
We look forward to seeing you all in 2022. Till then, stay safe and keep running!
Jullay!
Race Director – Ladakh Marathon
