Ladakh Marathon 12th Edition 11th - 14th September
What is the last date to register?
The last date to register is Monday 21st April 2025.
Where is Ladakh?
Ladakh is the northernmost Union Territory of the Republic of India. Ladakh lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the Himalaya to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in India. Historically, the region included the Baltistan (Baltiyul) valleys, the Indus Valley, the remote Zangskar, Lahaul and Spiti to the south, Aksai Chin and Ngari, including the Rudok region and Guge, in the east, and the Nubra valleys to the north.
Contemporary Ladakh borders Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti to the south, the Valleys of Kashmir, Jammu and Baltiyul regions to the west, and the trans–Kunlun territory of Xinjiang to the far north. Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture. It is sometimes called “Little Tibet” as it has been strongly influenced by Tibetan culture.
What is altitude sickness?
We recommend arriving in Leh at least a week to 10 days ahead of race day and if you can come earlier it is even better. For those participating in the Silk Route Ultra and the Khardung La Challenge we recommend to arrive in Leh two weeks in advance. High Altitude sickness occurs when your body does not adjust to the altitude due to lack of oxygen. It is common to feel light headed when you land in Leh as the air is thin and oxygen much less. Following the rules of acclimatisation, you need to take things easy in order to acclimatise properly and not rush around. On arrival, it is imperative to take “complete rest” on Day 1. You need to sleep on arrival, go slow, not move around too much and not go to the high points around Leh. It is also important to keep yourself hydrated so drink plenty of water, soups and avoid alcohol for the first few days.
Diamox, a diuretic, is taken by most people from the previous night before arriving in Leh. Those allergic to sulphur drugs should consult with their doctor for an alternative. You need to drink plenty of fluids and you will be passing a lot too due to the medication and as serious conditions of altitude sickness is about fluid retention in the lungs (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (fluid retention in the brain), taking a diuretic aids the process of acclimatisation. It is not a medicine for altitude sickness but an aid to help you acclimatise.
With proper acclimatisation there should be no issues which is the reason we recommend participants to come well in advance to prepare themselves and with so much to see and do in Ladakh, you can spend several days and weeks visiting the various sites, enjoying activities like trekking and rafting and at the same time practicing for Race Day! So Participants, come early, enjoy this awesome place and run for Ladakh!
How long does it take to acclimatise?
How many days in advance should one reach Leh?
What is the surface type in the majority course of the Ladakh Marathon races?
Majority of the course of the two ultra races, the Silk Route Ultra and Khardungla Challenge, is also paved road surface with asphalt, except some sections which is a rough road and not paved. Also, course of these two races is subject to climatic conditions as being at high altitude and snowfall can affect sections of the course. In past years (2014 and 2018) participants have experienced snow conditions and had to run in deep snow with extreme temperatures. Also, widening of the Leh-Nubra highway is an ongoing process carried out by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) every year. Participants of these two ultra races should be prepared for any such eventuality.
Is there any age restriction or are there any conditions that need to be met to be eligible to participate in Ladakh Marathon?
Are all races timed?
What is the cut off time for various races?
What time does each race start?
All races except the Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra start between 6 to 7 a.m. from N.D.S. Memorial Stadium in Leh.
The Khardung La Challenge starts at 3:00am on Friday 12th September from Khardung Village. Participants need to report to NDS Stadium Leh on Thursday 11th September at 8:00am and are transferred to Khardung village, and their accommodation and food is taken care of.
The Silk Route Ultra starts at 7:00pm on Thursday 11th September from Kyagar Village. Participants need to report to NDS Stadium Leh on Wednesday 10th September at 8:00am and are transferred to Kyagar village, and their accommodation and food is taken care of.
What kind of medical and volunteer support is there along the route?
The race is being organised with the support of the administration of UT Ladakh. Traffic will be controlled along the course of all 6 races. Mobile ambulances with emergency first aid will ply along the route besides medical aid stations on the route. Volunteers with walkie-talkie sets will be deployed at regular intervals along the route and there will be support team moving up and down along the various marathon courses. Toilet facilities with dry sand pits (and not flush loos) will be available at regular intervals. Support sweep vehicles will be there to bring back those participants to the finish point who are unable to continue.
Can I change my race category after registration?
What should I do if I cannot participate after having registered?
Please refer to Refund & Cancellation Policy. Bib and timing chip is non-transferable.
Which is the nearest airport?
The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe – Leh (IXL). There are daily flights from Mumbai, Delhi and other cities to Leh of Air India, SpiceJet and Indigo.
Are there photographers for each Race?
Yes, there are professional photographers for all six races of Ladakh Marathon.
Are participants provided with accommodation facilities?
No, you have to take care of your own accommodation arrangements while in Leh. The registration fee includes the race kit and refreshments on the race day. A list of hotels is available on our website, and all confirmed participants will be entitled to larger discounts than usual at most of these hotels.
What is the Race finishing point?
Finishing point for 05km, 11.2km, 21km and 42km races is the N.D.S. Memorial Stadium in Leh. The Khardung la Challenge and Silk Route Ultra finish at Main Market, Leh.
When and where do we collect the bibs?
What are the necessary things that the runner needs to carry with oneself while running?
How many hydration points are there for various races?
At the end of the race is the transport arranged from the end-point to our respective location or do we need to make arrangements for it?
How do runners of the Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra travel to the starting point?
Participants of these two ultra races are transferred to the starting point by the organisers.
Silk Route Ultra participants need to report to the NDS Stadium Leh on Wednesday 10th September at 8:00am. At 10:00am transport will leave for Kyagar village where accommodation is in local homestay / tents and all meals are taken care of. All participants will undergo a medical check at Kyagar that is carried out by the medic team of Ladakh Marathon. The organiser reserves the right to disallow/disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit for this ultra race.
Khardungla Challenge participants need to report to the NDS Stadium Leh on Thursday 11th September at 8:00am. At 10:00am transport will leave for Khardung village where accommodation and food are taken care of for the night. Accommodation will be local homestay / tents. Participants are requested to arrange their own pack lunch for 11th September. All participants will undergo a medical check at Khardung village that is carried out by the medic team of Ladakh Marathon. The organiser reserves the right to disallow/disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit for this challenge.
Which mobile networks are available in Leh? How easy is it to get local mobile SIM cards?
Besides the local prepaid SIM cards, ONLY POSTPAID SIM cards work in Leh, Ladakh. Prepaid SIM cards from the rest of India DO NOT work. International SIM cards also do not work in Ladakh. Local SIM cards get activated same day. Telecom service providers BSNL, AIRTEL & RELIANCE JIO have network available in Ladakh.
What sort of temperatures can one expect on race day?
Temperature in Ladakh during the peak tourist season of July and August ranges from a minimum of 15°C to a maximum of 35°C. However as Ladakh is a high altitude mountain desert, the real feel temperatures can be 20°C to 40°C. It is hot outdoors in the afternoons between 2 pm and 5 pm but pleasant indoors. The skies are usually bright blue. However, when it gets cloudy, the temperatures drop to between 8°C to 15°C.
On race day in September the temperatures will vary from 8° to 10° Celsius at the start. Temperatures will rise to 20°-24° Celsius as the event ends by the afternoon. For race day we recommend all participants to carry a light jacket until the race starts as it does get chilly in the mornings.
For Khardung La Challenge temperatures at Khardung Village at 3:00am will range anywhere from -3° to 4° Celsius.
What are the medical facilities available in Leh?
Sonam Norbu Memorial Hospital run by the Government is in Leh . They have a dedicated team of doctors who are very good in handling altitude related problems and for any emergency, one has to be evacuated to Delhi. The Army Hospital is also there and the SNM hospital refers patients to them if needed.
Are stores available to purchase basic necessities, medicines, outdoor clothing?
Leh market has a variety of General Goods Stores that sell all necessities from food items – biscuits, chocolates, juices, chips, etc and toiletries of well known Indian brands and imported brands . Close to the hospital there are more general goods stores and medical shops.
Outdoor clothing stores catering to good quality outdoor gear sell as well as give on hire gear such as sleeping bags, head lamps, jackets, gloves, thermals etc.
Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag for the Silk Route Ultra and Khardungla Challenge?
Participants of the Silk Route Ultra are not required to bring out sleeping bag as accommodation in Kyagar village is in a hotel with comfortable bedding. However, participants of the Khardungla Challenge need to bring their own sleeping bag of minimum -5° C grade as accommodation in Khardung village is in homestays and night temperature can drop very low. Sleeping bags can also be hired at nominal charges from various outdoor gear stores in Leh.
Is there a finisher certificate?
Yes, all Finishers (within cut off time) get a certificate for their race except for the 05km Run For Fun. Along with the certificate, there are medals for the finishers (within cut-off time) of all races including the 05km run.
Is there a limit to the number of participants for the Six races of Ladakh Marathon?
The limit to number of participants is only for the Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra, same being 300 and 60 respectively.
How can we do a group registration?
Presently we do not accept any group registrations. Participants need to register individually as timing certificates are required to be uploaded to meet the eligibility criteria.
Do we have attached toilets at accommodation in Kyagar and Khardung for the two ultra races?
Accommodation for participants of the Silk Route Ultra in Kyagar village is in hotel (s) with attached toilets. Accommodation for participants of the Khardungla Challenge in Khardung village is in homestays with attached toilets but these are mostly shared and detached local Ladakhi toilets (dry pits).