Ladakh Marathon 13th Edition 10th - 13th September
Ladakh Marathon 13th Edition 10th – 13th September
Ladakh Marathon, the highest AIMS certified marathon, is an event held annually since 2012 comprising of following 6 (six) running disciplines.
|
Discipline / Race name
|
Distance
|
Race date
|
|---|---|---|
|
Silk Route Ultra
|
122km
|
Thursday, September 10, 2026
|
|
Khardung La Challenge
|
72km
|
Friday, September 11, 2026
|
|
Marathon
|
42.195km
|
Sunday, September 13, 2026
|
|
Half Marathon
|
21.0975km
|
Sunday, September 13, 2026
|
|
11.2km Run
|
11.2km
|
Sunday, September 13, 2026
|
|
Run for Fun
|
05km
|
Saturday, September 12, 2026
|
Ladakh Marathon is promoted and organised by High Altitude Sports Foundation Ladakh, a not–for–Profit Private non–Government company, hereinafter referred to as “Event Organiser”.
Age Limits
These must be adhered to strictly and the event organiser has the right to verify the age of participants before, during, and after the race.
Acceptance Of Entries
b) Before submitting registration an applicant must ensure to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information as requested in the application form. Registration will not be accepted if an applicant knowingly submits false information.
c) Registration for the Ultra races – 122km Silk Route Ultra and 72km Khardung La Challenge is by way of submitting an application with a non-refundable application deposit of Rs. 3,000. Before submitting the application for Ultra races participants must ensure that he/she meets the eligibility criteria, provide true, accurate, current, and complete information as requested in the application form. Application will not be accepted if an applicant knowingly submits false information.
d) By submitting a registration all participants agree and accept to the “Terms & Conditions 2026” and “Acknowledgement of Risks & Indemnity Agreement 2026” of the Ladakh Marathon. And if a participant is below the age of 18 years, the guardian has to confirm his/her relation with the participant and agree and accept to the “Terms & Conditions 2026” and “Acknowledgement of Risks & Indemnity 2026”.
e) Participants of 11.2km Run, Half Marathon, Marathon, Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra are to provide details of previous marathons along with finisher certificates as per the Eligibility Criteria at the time of registration.
f) All participants must agree and sign the Risk & Indemnity Agreement. And if a participant is below the age of 18 years, the guardian has also signed the ‘waiver’ and written his/her relation with the participant.
g) All participants are to refrain from display of political, religious, or racial propaganda of any nature on apparel or gear worn or used by participants during the race(s). Any participant found in violation of this rule will be disqualified.
h) Registration fee– Please read this section before you register.
i) Registrations for the 13th edition of the Ladakh Marathon will open on Thursday 19th February 2026 and close on Monday 23rd March 2026.
Entries Not Accepted
Participation in the event is subject to entry confirmation. Entries will not be accepted if:
a) Finisher certificates submitted as proof of eligibility criteria are found to be incorrect.
b) Submission of incorrect documentation or information of your entry.
In such cases the registration shall be deemed cancelled, 50% of registration fee paid will be deducted and balance amount will be refunded.
Arrival In Leh And Acclimatisation
By submitting application participants also acknowledge and agree that they need to arrive in Leh town as per guidelines recommended by the Ladakh Marathon. Acclimatisation is imperative and important if you are a participant of the Ladakh Marathon.
Cancellation, Change of Race Category and Deferment of Registration
b) Request for cancellation/refund of registration will not be entertained beyond May 31, 2026 except for serving defence personnel category.
c) If your registration is rejected by the organiser whereby incorrect documentation is submitted as stated above in clause III, 50% of registration fee paid will be deducted and balance amount will be refunded. So, please ensure that you submit correct documents.
d) Registration fees shall not be refunded by virtue of non-participation, including failure by a confirmed participant to collect his/her bib from the Ladakh Marathon Expo or not allowed to run on the race day if found not fit to run.
e) Registration fee is non-refundable and entry will not be deferred if a participant is unable to travel due to reasons such as injury, illness, travel related issues or any other personal reason.
f) Change of race category is permitted ONLY up to May 31, 2026 by way of written intimation to the organisers from your registered email ID to info@ladakhmarathon.com. Participants will be charged Rs 1,000 (Indian Nationals) and US$20 (Foreign Nationals) towards processing fee. Please ensure timely written intimation for any change of race category.
g) Deferment of registration to next year is permitted ONLY up to May 31, 2026 by way of written intimation to the organisers from your registered email ID to info@ladakhmarathon.com. Post May 31, 2026 no request for transfer shall be entertained. Please ensure timely written intimation for transfer of registration.
h) Refund of registrations cancelled up to May 31, 2026 will be processed after August 01, 2026. Processing fee of Rs 1000/- will be deducted and balance amount refunded back.
Bib Number and Collection
- It is mandatory for all participants to collect their running BIB in person. Please schedule your travel plan and itinerary as per BIB collection dates.
- No BIB will be issued either prior to or after the assigned date of BIB collection. Please ensure that you are in LEH as per bib collection dates.
- Entry or BIB is non-transferable to any other participant/person
- Your official race BIB number is important. Therefore, please ensure that it is displayed during the entire race.
- Do not alter the BIB number in any manner.
- No one else may wear your BIB number.
- If any participant is found wearing another participant BIB, he/she will be disqualified and not allowed future participation in the Ladakh Marathon.
- Running BIB must be pinned properly to the front of your t-shirt and clearly visible at all times.
- Folding or covering any part of your BIB may result in disqualification.
- Do not forcefully bend, crease, or fold your BIB.
- Make sure to fill out the necessary information on the back side of your BIB.
- Participants of the two ultra races, the Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge, are assigned two bibs each for front and back. Please ensure these are pinned properly and visible at all times during the entirety of race(s), failure to do so will result in disqualification.
BIB Collection dates
It is mandatory for all confirmed participants to collect running BIBs (and timing chips) in person from the EXPO. Please schedule your travel plan and itinerary as per bib collection dates listed below:
For Silk Route Ultra and Khardungla Challenge – Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2026.
For Marathon, Half Marathon, 11.2km Run and 05km Run for Fum – Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September 2026.
Timing Chips
- Ladakh Marathon will use a timing chip for five races – 11.2km Run, Half Marathon, Marathon, 72km Khardung La Challenge and 122km Silk Route Ultra.
- 05km Run for Fun is not a timed race.
- Timing chips must be attached to your BIB to score the race as per instructions provided.
- Timing chip must be worn on the race day, attached properly to the BIB.
- Timing chip must be attached from Start to Finish in order to be recognised as completing the race and receiving an official finish time.
- Timing chip identifies your bib number and should not be worn by any other participant.
Code of Conduct and race Protocols
(i) Participants must always follow the organisers, race officials, course marshalls, and volunteer instructions. The event organiser reserves the right to disqualify participants who refuse to follow instructions of the race officials.
(ii) Participants must conduct themselves in sportsmanlike manner and respect race officials, fellow runners, and the local people of Ladakh.
(iii) All participants are to refrain from display of political, religious, or racial propaganda of any nature on apparel or gear worn or used by participants during the race(s). Any participant found in violation of this rule will be disqualified.
(iv) During the race if a participant is found boarding the ambulance/sweep vehicle, he/she will be disqualified.
v) Use of portable/supplementary oxygen is not permitted. Participant will be disqualified if he/she is found using supplementary oxygen.
vi) During the race if the vitals of a participant are found to be abnormal then our medical team will have the right to pull you out of the race. Their decision is final and binding
vii) No family member/friend/support crew is allowed to accompany during the races or stay with participants of the Ultra races Silk Route Ultra and Khardung la Challenge.
viii) Participants of the Ultra races must be present in Leh and report at the NDS Stadium for race briefing to travel together with fellow participants.
ix) Please ensure that your timing chip is fastened securely. Your net running time can only be measured if you step on the timing mats laid out at the start and finish line. Likewise, you must step on all mats laid out enroute the marathon course. You will be disqualified if your intermediate times are not recorded.
x) Participants must ensure that they are Medically and Physically fit to participate in the event.
xi) If a participant is suffering from any chronic disease such as heart disease or high blood pressure then he/she should not participate in the event. The event organiser reserves the right to disallow / disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in the event.
Cut-off time
Below are the cut-off times and points. Please note that these are subject to change should the organisers deem it necessary.
|
RACE
|
START
|
FINISH
|
Cut-off time
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
11.2 KM Run
|
6:30 a.m.
|
8:30 a.m.
|
2 hrs
|
|
Half Marathon
|
6:15 a.m.
|
10:00 a.m.
|
3 hrs 45 min
|
|
Marathon
|
6:00 a.m.
|
12:45 p.m.
|
6 hrs 45 mins
|
Road closure on Sunday, September 13, 2026 is till 1:15 p.m. If a participant is lagging behind the cut-off time, he/she must retire from the race or may be asked to leave the course.
Khardung La Challenge
(Cut-off is stage-wise)
|
Cut-off Points
|
Cut-off time
|
Stage
|
|---|---|---|
|
Khardungla top
|
11:00 am / 8 hrs
|
I
|
|
South Pulu
|
1:30 pm / 10 hrs 30 min
|
II
|
|
Mendak mor (turn)
|
3:00 pm / 12 hrs
|
III
|
|
Finish point
|
5:00 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 p.m.) 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. All support along this route will be withdrawn from various stages after respective cut-off time has lapsed.
Silk Route Ultra
(Cut-off is stage-wise)
|
Cut-off Points
|
Cut-off time
|
Stage
|
|---|---|---|
|
Khalsar Village
|
11:00 p.m. / 4 hrs
|
I
|
|
Khardung Village
|
3:00 a.m. / 8 hrs
|
II
|
|
Khardungla top
|
11:00 a.m. / 16 hrs
|
III
|
|
South Pulu
|
1:30 p.m. / 18 hrs 30 min
|
IV
|
|
Mendak mor (turn)
|
3:00 p.m. / 20 hrs
|
V
|
|
Finish point
|
5:00 pm / 22 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 22 hours (5 p.m.) 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. All support along this route will be withdrawn from various stages after respective cut-off time has lapsed.
Official Time and Net Time
Official Time and Net Time (with Start and Finish times) will be provided to participants who have completed their registered run within the cut-off time. Your net time will be your official time.
Official finishers: All participants of Marathon, Half Marathon and 11.2km Run who finish within the official cut-off time will receive a finisher medal and finisher certificate.
Unofficial finishers: All participants of Marathon, Half Marathon and 11.2km Run who cross the finish line after the cut-off time and until road closure which is 1:15 p.m. will not have an official result listing and finisher certificate but will still receive a finisher medal.
Participants must ensure that they are Medically and Physically fit to participate in the Event.
Any person who is suffering from any chronic disease such as heart disease or high blood pressure should not participate in the event. Event organiser reserves the right to disallow/disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in the event.
Prize Money
Prize money is awarded to the winners of five timed runs of the Ladakh Marathon – men and women. Prize money will be announced closer to the event and is awarded to Overall Top Three – men and women, and Top Three Veterans – men and women.
Race Rules
- All races except the Ultra races (72km and 122km) will be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations of the World Athletics.
- The Ultra races, 122km Silk Route Ultra and 72km Khardung La Challenge, will be conducted as per rules and guidelines laid by the event organiser. All decisions pertaining to these two races will be made by the Race Director which will be final and binding.
Race Day Images
Race day images of all participants will be screened visually after completion of the event. Where any of the participant is found not wearing the running bib allotted to him/her, the participant registered for that bib will be disqualified from the race and subsequent edition(s) of the event. Further, participants grant to the Ladakh Marathon and its promoters and organisers the exclusive right to the free use of their name, race day images, and videos for the promotion of the event across all social media platforms, including any broadcast, telecast, and advertising.
Event Cancellation
In case the event is cancelled due to circumstances that are beyond the control of the organisers or force majeure, all confirmed registrations for the year will automatically be carried forward to next year in same race category. There is no refund of registration fee in case of event cancellation except for serving Indian Defence Personnel.
Changes to the Event
(i) Event organiser reserves the right to modify and update the course, or make any other amendment to the event and race day procedures that it deems necessary to stage the event. Any change to the event will be communicated to participants.
(ii) Should the course distance be reduced in accordance with condition (i), for the avoidance of doubt you agree that the event is still deemed to be staged and that the event organiser will not be liable to you for any refund.
Application Form
The application form and the right to participate in the event and the rights and benefits available to the participant under this application form are at the sole discretion of the event organiser, High Altitude Sports Foundation Ladakh, and cannot be transferred to any other participant/person under any circumstances. The actual participant alone shall be entitled to the rights and benefits arising out of such confirmation of participation.